On 16 July 2012, Malaysian start using their new banknotes and the new coins has been used since 16 January 2012. Do you know what happened when Malaysia start to use our own currency in 1967? Samples of the new coins and banknotes were shown for the first time on 29 April 1967 to reporter at Malaysia National Operation room (Bilik Gerakan Negara) by Malaysia Finance Minister, Tun Tan Siew Sin. At that time, some Malaysian & Singaporean doesn't agree with different currency for both country. Tun Tan Siew Sin in his press statement assure everyone that the new currency has not changed, its price and acceptance still the same both within and outside Malaysia; the only change is the banknote design.
Mr. Tan Siew Sin said, "The design were dignified, attractive and in keeping of national sentiment. Malaysian should be proud of their new currency and the government will see to it that the proud was well founded."
"For the man on the street the only difference will be a change in the design of the new notes and coins. There will be no change at all in so far as purchasing power of the new dollar is concerned," he said.
Picture via matselongkar.blogspot.com
This is what news describe the new Malaysia banknotes & coins during those day:
The new Malaysia notes (and coins) which come into use on June 12 are in 5 denomination $1, $5, $10, $50 and $100. The coins are also in 5 denominations 1¢, 5¢,10¢,20¢ dan 50¢. The size and color of the new notes are broadly similar to the present ones. One difference is the portrait of the first Yang Dipertuan Agong which appears on Malaysia currency for the first time. Another is the crest of Bank Negara (the issuing authority) on the other face against the geometrically patterned background. The new coins are also the same as the present ones, except they have a design of parliament house one side and the hibiscus (national flower) with the numeral indicating the value on the reverse.
Source: The Straits Times, 30 April 1967.
The new coin arrived from London via Port Swettenham on 17 May 1967 with tight security measure. 73 tons of newly minted coins were uploaded at Port Swettenham, Penang from the british ship Flintshire and bought to Kuala Lumpur under heavy guard with 19 military vehicles. The extra care was taken because in the unloading of Malaysia new banknotes two weeks before, one huge bundle fell overboard into the sea and divers spent 3 hours to recover it from 50 meters deep. The new banknotes and coins are then kept at Office of Currency, Bank Negara Malaysia in Batu Tiga, Shah Alam to be distributed and used throughout the country beginning 12 June 1967. On the same day the new currency release, Malaysia Yang Di pertuan Agong received the first Malaysia banknote A000001 Album presentation by the Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia, Tun Ismail Mohd. Ali. The complete 6 pieces with same serial number A/1 000001, Malaysia 1st series banknotes presentation Album were sold at Spink for £115,100 on 8 October 2007; Asia Most Expensive Banknote.
Source: The Straits Times, Arkib Negara, Wikipedia.
*Thank you to Syed Ahmad for the scan news.
