Do any of you still remember when is the last time Kuala Lumpur International Coin Show has been organize by Bank Negara Malaysia (last time all the event organize by Royal Mint Malaysia)? I don't go to any of the Kuala Lumpur International Money Fair (KLIOMF) in 2001, 2002, 2003 or 2004 but from what I found out, the last Money Fair is in 2004 (correct me if I am wrong), it is over 8 years since the last coin show. What exactly happened? Why they stop organizing such big event for Malaysia Numismatic? Only people behind the scene of the KLIOMF can give us the answer. They're rumour about all the brilliant people who make the money fair a success has not been working anymore at Kilang Wang Bank Negara (formerly known as Royal Mint Malaysia). They're also rumor that the mastermind of the events has been deceased for many years. Whatever the reason, it is a bit of disappointment to all Malaysian collector who want to see BNM promote Malaysia Numismatic to the world.
In 2002, some of the world known Mint came to join the money fair:
- The Royal Mint of Malaysia
- Austrian Mint
- Royal Mint UK
- BNM currency museum
- Faude & Huguenin SA Switzeland
- Pos Malaysia Berhad
- B.H Mayer Mint GmbH
- Royal Canadian Mint
- South Africa Mint Company (Pty) Ltd
- Singapore Mint
- The Royal Thai Mint
- The Perth Mint
- Turkish State Mint
If the promotion and the marketing has been done correctly, I do think Malaysia coin show will be one way to attract tourist to Malaysia too. Government under Ministry of Tourism Malaysia and Bank Negara Malaysia should joint venture to start New Kuala Lumpur International Money Fair. One of the reason why the show has been stop that I can think is during 2001-2004, Tun Mahathir give his full support for this kind of event. He has been known worldwide as a Prime Minister who promote Islamic Dinar as a currency. In 2002, Tun has proposed a gold dinar standard for use in the Islamic world. I just assume he knew numismatic is a good hobbies too. Other Prime Minister after him don't really like numismatic (I am just assuming not a fact).
While searching for information about KL money show, I found Dickson wrote about Kuala Lumpur International Money Fair 2002 (KLIOMF 2002) Medallion for VVIP. It is scarce and I think I only seen 3 such piece so far in my life. You can read it here; Bi-Metal Medallion Of "THE KUALA LUMPUR INTERNATIONAL MONEY FAIR (KLIMOF) 2002". I also found a blogger who has been working with Royal Mint Malaysia before, Puteri Kamaliah don't have many posts about coins or money in her blog but I think one of her post is worth reading for everyone; For love of coins.
I wish one day BNM will start to promote Malaysia Numismatic by organizing Money Fair again. In recent years, I has seen many people start to buy numismatic items either as investment or as collection. I do think it will attract large crowd among local if the Money Fair will be organize in the near future. Can any of you ask Bank Negara Malaysia if they will organize New Kuala Lumpur International Money Fair in the future? I had asked them many thing but they don't reply a single thing. Maybe if all of us ask the same thing at the same time, they will listen?
