Bank Negara Malaysia will continue to issue fit RM1 and RM5 banknotes for the coming Chinese New Year. This is in line with the national "Go Green" initiative aimed to promote sustainability of our resources and the conservation of the environment.

Since its launch two years ago, this initiative to promote the use fit banknotes has received strong support from members of the public. As a result, the Central Bank issued 44 per cent less new banknotes last year.

Bank Negara Malaysia would like to thank members of the public for their encouraging support and urge all Malaysians to continue using fit banknotes for "angpow" during the Chinese New Year.

Commercial banks and Islamic banks will commence the exchange of banknotes to the members of the public from 9 February 2015.

The "Go Green" is a collaborative effort by Kementerian Tenaga, Teknologi Hijau dan Air (KeTTHA), Bank Negara Malaysia, the Association of Banks in Malaysia (ABM), the Association of Islamic Banking Institutions Malaysia (AIBIM), Malaysian Environmental NGOs (MENGO) and Yayasan Anak Warisan Alam (YAWA).