Happy 55 years merdeka Malaysia

Happy 55 years merdeka Malaysia. If you're looking for Merdeka day coins, I don't think they will release it. First time in history, the merdeka day logo, theme and song has been heavily criticize by everyone including me. Information Ministry theme, "55 years of independence promises fulfilled" are not suitable for Merdeka celebration. Their logo, the worst logo ever in our history of independence has been withdrawn by the ministry. They said it is not an official logo but that logo has been circulating among Malaysia Government websites for quite some time. Some people said their merdeka song for this year a copycat from a church song. The government have been trying to bring people to Merdeka day parade, some of you might have received a sms asking you to come to Dataran Merdeka for the Merdeka Parade. Today, 13,000 people came to Merdeka Parade at Dataran Merdeka.

Everytime Merdeka day celebration, most of you might have seen this iconic picture. Image of Tunku Abdul Rahman raising his hand to proclaim the nation’s independence at the stadium, declaring independence from the British at Stadium Merdeka on 31 August 1957. Do you know who took this picture? The picture is an artwork of Mr. Ng Weng Hong, Information Department of Malaysia photographer.

What is 55 years Merdeka mean for you? Joining a parade, waiving a Malaysia flag and shouting Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! Is that what really matter? Today, we have seen Malaysian celebrate their Merdeka day in two separate way because of politic. Merdeka should not divide us but should bring us together with a high spirit of Patriotism and honouring Malaysia freedom fighter who have make it easy for us. In the world of technology, Malaysian failed to celebrate with a true spirit of Merdeka. We maybe are Merdeka physically but some of us are still not free from colonization; spirituality and mentality. Patriotism level among Malaysian has been going down everyday. We easily condemning any Malaysia product because we are not satisfied with current government, we don't think about the truth before we are talking like a mad men. Some of us even like to give a stupid lie to our fellow Malaysian, that make me think, do they have Low Patriotism or Low IQ? Ironing and bleaching Malaysia banknotes are not a way to celebrate Merdeka day.

I wish one day our politician can stand together in the name of Merdeka celebration, put aside their political opinion and celebrate Merdeka as Malaysian. A wish that I don't think can be realize with the current way both side of political party are doing. We are free from British colonization but we are still control by politic, spiritually. The way we think about something depends on what political party that we support. Some of us just follow without even think about the cause and reason why do we support something in the first place.

Merdeka celebration is just a parade without spirit of patriotism in most Malaysian. Only the political spirit matters for 55 years of Merdeka. Happy 55 years Merdeka Malaysia!

Here are some faces of Malaysian, celebrating 55 Merdeka:

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Low Patriotism or Low IQ Malaysian?

Tomorrow, Malaysia will celebrate 55 years of independence. Today, we can see almost half Malaysian will be looking at any government decision in a negative way before they even think. In the latest incident, a political Facebook page share a picture of Malaysia RM1 Polymer melt under the sun, people automatically condemning the government because of the "low quality Malaysia banknotes". Most of them who don't have any knowledge about their own banknote talk without their brain. If you're banknote collector, looking at the RM1 notes in the pictures you will automatically knew that the notes are not damaged by the sun. Its happened because of high heat apply on the notes itself. Polymer notes has been tested under hot temperatures (over 100 degrees Celsius, BNM claim it can stand up to 120 degrees Celsius) and cold temperatures under 60 degrees Celsius. That is a standard quality procedure test for any Polymer banknotes for their durability. How hot is the climate in Malaysia? 100 degrees Celsius? I always left some notes in my car because I always forgot to take it after paying for the parking or toll, melt polymer notes never happened to me.

In the same Facebook page, they also share some photos of the RM1 Polymer notes color fades after he forgot to remove the notes in the pants after soaking it over 24 hour? Really? I don't think soaking it with any detergent will make the color fade. Unless you put it in a bleach with chlorine. I don't believe they soak it in normal detergent since they don't even show what happened to the pants, only the notes. If you have brain, I think you can think what will happen to that pants after 24 hour soaking in a bleach. Who in their right mind will do that?

Funny thing, one political blog also share some stupid experiment on the new RM1 notes. The blog owner share 2 video's; one video show he soak the RM1 polymer in clorox bleach and another video show he ironing it & comparing it to the old RM1. Maybe that guy IQ a very low because he cannot think that the RM1 notes are made from plastic and what will happen if you put a hot iron on plastic? You get a stupid Malaysian with no brain. Hahahaha.... The clorox bleach, who in their right mind will bleach their notes? You should protect your money not damaging it with stupid experiment like that.

I am not sharing any of their links in here because I do think both of the Facebook page and blog are run by a brainless people and for the brainless Malaysian. Sharing and commenting in there will only motivate them to do more brainless act. I try to find a legal way to associate their wrong doing with any Malaysian Act. After searching for almost full day, sadly I don't find any. They're no single Act that say intentionally damaging Malaysia banknote is a crime? If you know any Act that we can relate them to, please share it with me.

I am not a member of any political party and I don't have any interest in politic. Accident do happen but lying about it is a crime. I don't like people lying about the truth and sadly, they most probably can keep doing that as long as they like. In the recent years, patriotism for some Malaysian has been low by days because of politic. Hopefully, some of us don't get a low IQ too.

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Seladang Enggang coins set for RM400

This is just a quick update on a bet by a friend. He has been arguing with me that we cannot get 1976 seladang enggang commemorative non-proof coins set for RM400 nowadays. I told him, I saw many dealers sell that coins for only RM450 with a box and sometimes certificate. He said that it is an old price, today people sell them at lest RM450 for the coins set because its already hard to find them. He bet that I cannot find a Conservation commemorative non-proof silver coins set (without box) below RM400 mark. I accept his challenge because I know that is an easy task. The winner will get RM400 and bet will end on 31 August 2012.

The argument arise when he is not satisfied with Malaysia coin prices that I share in my new Malaysia coin blog. He said that the price is don't show the real market price. The fact is, I knew he collect many Malaysia coins and he bought them at a very high price from one dealer. Friends has been advising him about the price he paid and the quality of coins that he received. He cannot accept because he said the dealer has been a good friend since he start collecting. He has been avoiding all the bad thing that he heard about the dealer.

Today, I have a chance to do a hunting trip for that coins. First shop that I visit is Dickson Niew Shop in Subang Jaya. I thought I am unlucky when I cannot see the seladang & enggang coins in his coins display. When I ask him about the coins with the red box, he said that the coins has been gone long time ago but he have two more red box with a certificate. He said that the box came from America and still in nice condition. All the Seladang and Enggang coins has been sold. He offer me RM87 for the red box & certificate. In my thought at that moment, the bet is all about the coins without a box and the red box is a little bit hard to find. I grab his offer and think where can I get the coins I seek.

Suddenly, I remember about Mr. Peter Ang, who is also a blogger. I called him and asked if he got any Seladang Enggang Coin set, he said he have one set at the moment and I straight away go to his slcollectors shop at Millinieum Square, Petaling Jaya. When I arrived at his shop, he show me that coins, its in AUNC condition. At first, I thought he will be asking a high price for that coin. He is looking at his website slcollectors.com and offer me RM300 for the coins set. Fuuuh.., lucky me. Look like I get the complete set for only RM387. Hahahaha....

Friend, I know you're a regular reader of my blog, you can contact both of the sifu's about the price that I share in here. You also have my account number, right? Thanks for the free conservation commemorative silver non-proof coin set. Happy Holiday & Selamat Hari Merdeka.

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Funny & Beautiful Defaced Dollar Bills

Have you heard about "Defaced Dollar Bills Art"? No? Some Artist are doing their artwork on a dollar bills to make it funny and beautiful. This kind of altering & currency manipulation to make it an art has been around for a long, long time. Most country including United States don't allowed Defaced banknotes but so far no one has been bring to court for defacing US notes. People consider it as an art, making the dollar bill more interesting. I like artwork done by artist James Charles in his series of Pop Culture Cash. He is using a real dollar bills and transform it into colorfully amusing pop culture icons.

Is It Illegal to Deface a Dollar Bill
If you want to talk about law, yes.., it is illegal under US Code Title 18 Chapter 333:

whoever mutilates, cuts, disfigures, perforates, unites or cements together, or does any other thing to any bank bill, draft, note, or other evidence of debt issued by any national banking association, Federal Reserve Bank, or Federal Reserve System, with intent to render such item(s) unfit to be reissued, shall be fined not more than $100 or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.

In my opinion, these are just work of art and expression of the artist on what happening around them. They don't intent to exchange the notes for greater then denomination value but some defaced banknote art by some artist might get a high value to their fans. 

Funny & Beautiful Defaced Dollar Bills

Here are some work by James Charles, who make an exhibition "American Iconomics" at the Shooting Gallery in San Francisco in 2011.

You can find more of the artwork here; Pop Culture Cash.

They're also a group of people in Flickr who posted a Defaced Presidents dollar bills, the group has been around since 2007 and many Defaced Presidents notes artist share their work in the group. Here are some that I think worth to mention:

 You can find more of their work in the group: The defaced presidents Pool


Artist, Sean Monaghan also share some of his work in Yahoo Finance, turning circulating U.S. currency into comical masterpieces.

You can find his work at: Dollar bills serve as artist's canvas.

I think most people knew Ronald McDonald clown, here are artwork by Atypyk, you can visit him at atypyk.com.

If you like my funny & beautiful defaced dollar bills story, please don't forget to like it in Stumbleupon, click here; Stumbleupon.

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Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

I wish an early Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to all my readers and friends. This year, Hari Raya might be celebrated on 18 or 19 August 2012. Muslim celebrate Hari Raya after 29 or 30 days of fasting during the entire month of Ramadan. In Malaysia, it is already a custom people will celebrate it with rendang, lemang, ketupat and also a green packet or ang pow given to children who come to our house to celebrate Hari Raya. Many people will exchange their notes with new banknote from commercial bank to be use for the green packet. This year, the new Malaysia banknotes come into circulation, some banks are already out of stock for the new banknotes.

Some of you might already on your way to balik kampung, wish you have a safe journey. Some of you might be going home for a holiday starting this Friday. Before you start your journey, make sure you already service and check your car. PLUS (Projek Lebuhraya Utara Selatan) has released a travel time advisory during Hari Raya, I share about it in here so you can plan what are the best day for your journey. I know that all roads will be jammed packed with vehicles during holidays, just make sure you bring food and drink with you while traveling.

Hari Raya also have different names around the world, here are some of it:

• Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei-Hari Raya Puasa, Hari Lebaran, Aidilfitri.
• Indonesia-Idul Fitri, Hari Lebaran.
• Philippines-Wakas ng Ramadan, Hari Raya Puasa.
• Tamil-Nonbu Perunaal.
• Javanese-Riyoyo, Riyayan, Rozar Eid Bengali, Ngaidul Fitri.
• Sundanese-Boboran Siyam.
• Acehnese-Uroë Raya Puasa.
• Bangladesh-Rojar Eid.
• Turkish-Ramazan Bayramı, Şeker Bayramı, Küçük Bayram.
• Kyrgyz-Orozo Mayram.
• Uyghur-Rozi Heyt.
• Sindhi-Eid Nimaz.
• Senegal-Korite.
• Uganda-Id.
• Hausa-Sallah.
• Pashto-Kochnay hi supAkhtar (کوچنی اختر).
• Persian- Eid-e Sa'eed-e Fitr (The Mirthful Festival of Fitr).
• Urdu-Choti Eid, Meethi Eid.
• Malayalam-Cheriya Perunnal.
• Bosnian-Ramazanski bajram.
• Albanian-Bajram.
• Kurdish-Cejna Remezanê.
• Croatian-Ramazanski bajram.
• Serbian-Рамазански бајрам.
• Bulgarian-Рамазан Байрам.
• Somali-Ciid Yare.
• Ethiopia-Id al-Fater.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to all of you and I ask for forgiveness if I had been doing any mistake with anyone in the past. Happy holiday to everyone.

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When new coin become political issue

Yesterday, when I check further in the net after posting my post; Kilang Wang Malaysia, I found out that recently, they're few politic news site talking about the new coins. It almost half a year since the new coin has been released into circulation (you can read it here; new coin circulate 16 January 2012). Most of them are discussing many thing that I had been sharing in here before. In this post, I will be compiling all their questions and try to give the answer. If you like it, you can share it with them. I don't like politic even though I study politic. I am not related to any political party but I am one of the guy who think it is really annoying to watch our local news full of politic everyday, even when the elections are already 4 years ago and the new election date still cannot be confirm. Government is throwing money to people and the opposition is trying to make Malaysia look bad to the worlds. When the new coin became political issue, I think collector like us will be laughing by some of the political leader statement, they're making jokes that only we can understand. It will be a waste of time explaining it to them since they have their own agenda but I do think we need to share the real situation in numismatic point of view since we are talking about coins not politic.

Do we (Malaysian) need new coins?

Malaysia Parliament coins series (1st series) were introduced in 12 June 1967. Malaysia Bunga Raya coins series (2nd series) were issued on 4 September 1989. Its over 23 years since the 2nd series coins has been issued by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). Do you know how many 50 sen counterfeit coins in your pocket right now? Coin design normally change after 20 years because normally it will be easy for counterfeiter to make a fake coins since the technology has change. Some of the Fake Bunga Raya coins are hard to differentiated from the original coins, especially for non collector.  You can read more about this at my post; Do Malaysia need new coins?

Why the color of the new coin fading?

In my opinion, BNM don't take into consideration about using Nickel brass metal coin in a humid condition like Malaysia. The coin will look nice when it is new but it will begin to corrode and tarnish over time. It is the same thing as our old 1 sen copper coin but when a gold color coin became black in color, people will start to think they found a counterfeit coins like what Guan Ming Daily report before;Reporter-Please Do Research First.

The new coins can be magnetized?

Some of them are arguing that the new coins especially the new 5 sen and 10 sen can attracted to magnet and can be magnetized. I don't know if they put their coins in a magnet bowl or something but do magnetic coins really matter? How many percent of chance that your coins has change into magnet? Wasn't BNM make the coin magnetic because it will make it easy for you to find the coins if you loose any? just put your magnet and all the coins will come to you. To make sure the new coin cannot be magnetized, I start an experiment about this today and will share the result after a month.

Smaller size and lighter weight then the old one.

When BNM want to make it smaller and lighter, in my opinion, their intention is to make it easy for us to bring the new coins everywhere. They forget the fact that lighter mean it will be easy for the coins to be lost if we drop the coin on the floor. I don't think many Malaysian really like to bring a lot of coins in their pocket nowadays, that is just a personal opinion. BNM should make a survey about this, is lighter coins is better for Malaysian?

The size of 50 sen and 20 sen almost the same.

I think when the new coins has been release into circulation, many people were giving the same feedback; 50 sen look like 20 sen and 10 sen look like 5 sen. They're only slight weight and diameter difference between those coins. We are in transitional period, it will take a few months for everyone to get use with the new coins. I will try to make a post on how to make it easy for everyone to differentiate the new coins and share it in here later. 

Who got contract for the new coin?

That question already been answered by Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai on October 2011 at Dewan Rakyat, "The supplier which has been selected to supply the coins is Poogsan Corporation, South Korea, and the coins are minted at the Bank Negara Malaysia mint in Shah Alam. The suppliers for the new series Malaysian banknotes are Crane AB, Sweden; Giesecke & Devrient GmbH, Germany; Oberthur Technologies, France, and Orell Fussli, Switzerland," You can read more about it in Malaysia banknote printer reveal.

Why Bank Negara Malaysia don't take out old Malaysia coin from circulation?

The new coin will be circulating with the old coins, Bank Negara Malaysia will take out the old coins phase by phase. It will cost us more money if BNM change all the coin instantly. We most probably will have a coin shortage too. Have you check how many pieces of coin were minted by Bank Negara each years? You can find information about Malaysia coin mintage at my other blog, www.malaysiancoin.com.

New 10 sen related to Israel flag?

Some were saying, the new 10 sen Malaysia coin design, look like an Israel flag symbol, blue Star of David. Last time they saidBNM logo come from Pharoah dog. Another funny thing is that they drew the Star of David on the new 10 sen coin, to make it look like the Judaism symbol. You can read BNM Official reply on 10 sen orang asli motif resemblance Israel Star of David here;BNM reply about new duit syiling issue.

Problem using the new coins at auto pay machine?

You can contact BNM if you find any autopay machines which could not accept the New Malaysia Coins at their hotline 03-2690 7307 or 03-2698 8044 (ext 8252). If you can, record the place, owner (normally they're sticker of the company who do the maintenance of the machine) and your problem. The machine operator should calibrate their machine last year, they have already given 6 months to calibrate their machine. The problem with some Malaysia auto pay machines company are that they buy cheap old machine that cannot be calibrate.

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New Malaysia coin blog

Today, I finish setting up my new coin blog, new Malaysia Coin blog. The new blog is for my Malay readers and written in Malay. It will be focusing more on Malaysia Coins price, details & specifications, books and other Malaysia coins information that you need. All posts come with pictures that I took myself. It still in development phase and need more time to put all the information in that blog. The new blog doesn't mean I will closed this blog, it is just an alternative to my readers who doesn't understand English really well. Fell free to comment in here and share your suggestion about the new blog.

You can read more about my new blog here: Malaysia Coin.

I also had setup a new Facebook fanpage, Malaysia coin facebook page. I start the fanpage since October 2011 and currently it already have 1,891 likes. You can find more pictures, stories, item for sell, questions and notes in that new page. More activities will be organize in that new Facebook page in the future. The main purpose of the Facebook page is for an easy interaction between me and my readers. It will be easy for you to asked me questions. Just make sure you post a clear pictures of your Malaysia coin in the new Facebook page if you want to know their value. I will also try to share Malaysia coin price and value in the new Malaysian coin blog in the future.

For a fast update about any of my Facebook page or blog activities, I suggest you to add my Twitter @malaysiacoin.

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