Any person issuing, printing or minting any note, coin, token, document or instrument likely to pass as legal tender commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding RM50 million or imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or both under the Currency Bill 2019.

The bill was tabled for the first reading by Deputy Finance Minister Amiruddin Hamzah (photo) before Dewan Rakyat Speaker Mohamad Ariff Yusof yesterday.

The bill will be presented for the second reading for debate during the current session of the Dewan Rakyat which runs until Dec 5.

Among other provisions in the Currency Bill 2019 being tabled is that no person shall use any photograph, drawing or design resembling a currency note or coin in any publication in any size, scale or colour without the approval of Bank Negara Malaysia.

If convicted, the person involved can be fined not more than RM50,000.

- Bernama