On 21st December 2011, Bank Negara had officially launched the new 2012 currency series of Banknotes. The news regarding the new 2012 banknotes and coins was out since May 2011.
The newly designed banknotes are issued in the denominations of RM1, RM5, RM10, RM20 and RM100 and will be available for circulation starting in the second half of 2012. RM20 note is making a comeback after removal from the circulation a few years ago.
The RM50 denomination banknote for the new currency series is already in circulation. The new series featuring polymer substrate materials for the RM1 and RM5 banknotes.
The coins series were launched 25th July 2011 with the denominations of 5 sen, 10 sen, 20 sen and 50 sen. It will be introduced into the circulation in January 2012.
The new series of banknotes incorporated enhanced security features including shadow image, clear window, watermark portrait with pixel and highlighted numerals, colour shifting security thread, micro lens thread, perfect see-through register, coloured glossy patch for public recognition.
Other features include tactile identification which enables the visually impaired to identify and distinguish the different denominations.
The table below is the features and motif of the new banknotes.
| Denomi nation | Substrate | Dimension | Predominant Colour | Icon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RM100 | Paper | 150mm X 69mm | Purple | Mount Kinabalu and pinnacles rock formations of Gunung Api valley |
| RM50 | Paper | 145mm X 69mm | Green-blue | Oil Palm and Biotechnology |
| RM20 | Paper | 145mm X 65mm | Orange | The Hawksbill and Leatherback Turtle |
| RM10 | Paper | 140mm X 65mm | Red | Rafflesia |
| RM5 | Polymer | 135mm X 65mm | Green | Rhinoceros Hornbill |
| RM1 | Polymer | 120mm X 65mm | Blue | ‘Wau Bulan’ (Moon Kite) |
The table below is the motif of the new coins.
| Denomination | Icon |
|---|---|
| 50 sen | Sulur Kacang |
| 20 sen | Bunga Melur |
| 10 sen | Orang Asli Motif |
| 5 sen | Destar Siga |
To mark the introduction of new currency series, Bank Negara Malaysia is issuing commemorative banknotes for sale.
For more details information including bank notes photos, kindly browse to Bank Negara Malaysia webpage at the following links