The Brunei Currency and Monetary Board (BCMB) has issued new $50 and $100 polymer notes, which have more security features than previous notes, in conjunction with the celebration of the 58th birthday of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan Brunei Darussalam.

The new notes will be circulated side by side with the existing notes that will remain legal tender in Brunei Darussalam.

Acting Head Executive Officer at the BCMB, Hj Mohd Rosli bin Hj Sabtu, told a media conference yesterday that the move was part of the BCMB plan to continuously upgrade the quality and security of currency notes to keep up with the trend of economic development.

"It is also a preventive measure against counterfeiting," said Hj Mohd Rosli, who also reminded that money counterfeiting is a crime punishable under the Currency and Monetary Order 2004.

The $50 and $100 notes are the second phase of issuing the local currencies in polymer notes since the process began in 1996 with the $1, $5 and $10 polymer notes that are of much better quality with more security features than the paper dollar notes.

Among the security features on the new polymer notes are:

The local motif in white and gold forms the complex clear window for $100;

The local motif in white forms the complex clear window for $50;

The letters and numbers HB 100 and HB 50 on the $100 and $50 new notes respectively can be seen when looking through the small transparent window to the point of light source;

The crest of Brunei Darussalam is printed in vibrant red ink on gold star patch;

The serial numbers are printed both vertically and horizontally in fonts of varying sizes;

A flower is formed through the combination of printing on both sides of the note when held up to the light;

The shadow image of His Majesty's portrait and initials "HB" will appear when the banknote is held up to the light.

Plans for introductory seminars for bankers, cashiers or those involved handling monies, are in the pipeline to familiarise them with the features of the new currency notes, according to an official who was present at the press conference held at the Ministry of Finance, Commonwealth Drive.

Posters showing the new $50 and $100 polymer notes together with details of the notes' security features will be distributed to banks, government agencies and public buildings to inform the public of the use of the new polymer notes effective from today (July 15th). - Borneo Bulletin