General Information on Malaysian Banknotes: RM5

Bank Negara Malaysia is issuing a new RM5 note, the fifth denomination issued in a new design Malaysian currency notes series (3rd Series). The new RM5 note bears the signature of the present Governor Tan Sri Ali Abul Hassan bin Sulaiman. The new series incorporate new security features and retain some of the existing security features to deter counterfeiting. The new series will circulate along the existing series until the existing series are gradually phased out.

The theme of the new series, "Wawasan 2020" reflects Malaysia's economic development and achievement towards a fully developed country. For the RM5 denomination, the background motif depicts the construction sector. This is represented by landmark buildings, namely the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, the Petronas TwinTowers and a geographical map with symbols representing the location of Putrajaya and Cyberjaya. This design motif also depicts major construction activity involving completed and on-going infrastructure projects. The new series also use RM as the currency symbol for the Malaysian Ringgit.

The security features of the RM5 denomination are highlighted here as a guide to the public. These features include the security thread with the repeated text BNM RM5, three-dimensional watermark portrait, anticopy feature known as "PEAK" and security fibres in the paper. The new RM5 note retains the predominant green colour of the existing design but the size of the note is slightly reduced to facilitate easier handling. The intaglio (raised printing) of the portrait of the First Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong is retained as a dominant feature.

The public is advised to look carefully to differentiate the genuine notes from the counterfeits.

RM5 Security Feature

Click on any of the numbered features on the notes below for further detail:


Watermark Portrait (1)
The shaded watermark can be recognised by tints that are lighter or darker than the surrounding paper. This watermark portrait which has a three-dimensional effect appears soft and shady without sharp outlines. At the base of the watermark, the numeral 5 is clearly visible.
Section 1 of the obverse of the note:

BACK TO TOP
Security Thread (2)
The thread is embedded in the paper and appears on the reverse side of the note as a silver coloured dotted line [a]. When the note is held against the light, it is seen as a continuous dark coloured line and the repeated text BNM RM5 can be read [b]. When viewed under ultra-violet light, the thread is seen in various changing colours known as the "rainbow effect" [c].
Section 2 of the reverse of the note :

[a] Normal appearance	[b] When held against the light	[c] When viewed under ultra-violet light

BACK TO TOP
Security Fibres (3)
When viewed under ultra-violet light, the security fibres in the paper become visible in three colours: red, yellow and blue.
Section 3 of the obverse of the note:

BACK TO TOP
Intaglio Print (4)
The intaglio print is a raised printing effect produced by applying layers of tactile inks on various parts of the obverse and reverse sides of the notes, such as the portrait of the First Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong, denomination figures, ornamental elements and the wordings "BANK NEGARA MALAYSIA".
Section 4 of the obverse of the note:

BACK TO TOP
PEAK® (Printed and Embossed Anti-Copy Key) (5)
When changing the angle of view by shifting the note, the numeral 5 will be revealed in the centre of the PEAK® square. The whole square will glow under ultra-violet light. When held against light, three open spaces on the obverse side will register perfectly iwth equal printed markings on the reverse side.
Section 5 of the obverse of the note:

[a] Normal appearance	[b] When held at an angle	[c] When viewed under ultra-violet light

BACK TO TOP
Perfect See-Through Register (6)
When the note is held against the light, the hibiscus flower on the obverse will register perfectly with the same flower on the reverse of the note. This flower will also glow under ultra-violet light.
Section 6 of the note:

[a] Normal obverse appearance	[b] Normal reverse appearance	[c] When held against the light

BACK TO TOP
Modulated Micro-Letterings (7)
In this tactile rectangle, the micro-letterings with the text RM5 are all legible under a magnifying glass and collectively form the word "BNM" if viewed from a distance.
Section 7 of the obverse of the note:

BACK TO TOP
Background Micro-Letterings (8)
The pattern of the pink and greenish rectangles contains legible micro-letterings of "BNM" when viewed under a magnifying glass while some of the greenish rectangles will fluoresce under ultra-violet light.
Section 8 of the obverse of the note:

BACK TO TOP
Micro-Letterings (9)
Lines at the building of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport  contain legible micro-letterings of the word "BANKNEGARAMALAYSIA" in green when viewed under a magnifying glass.
Section 9 of the reverse of the note:

BACK TO TOP
Invisible Fluorescent Elements (10)
Various elements of the background on the obverse and reverse including the serial numbers will fluoresce in different colours when viewed under ultra-violet light.
Section 10 of the reverse of the note:

[a] Normal appearance	[b] When viewed under ultra-violet light

BACK TO TOP
Anti-Scanner/Copier Feature (11)
The note features certain areas, designed such that these will change appearance when copied/scanned.
Section 11 of the reverse of the note:

BACK TO TOP
Phosphorescence Square (12)
In this square, the letters "BNM" and the numeral 5 will become visible under unltra-violet light.
Section 12 of the obverse of the note:

[a] Normal appearance	[b] When viewed under ultra-violet light

BACK TO TOP
Braille Feature (13)
The round braille markings feature a layer of tactile ink printed in intaglio that can be felt by touching.
Section 13 of the obverse of the note:

BACK TO TOP
Novel Numbering (14)
The serial numbers increase in size to make it more difficult to counterfeit. The numbers fluoresce under ultra-violet light.
Section 14 of the reverse of the note: