Dec.23, 2009, Bernama

In line with the global effort to combat money-laundering and terrorism financing, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has issued a new currency declaration requirement at all entry and exit points in the country.

Effective Jan 1, 2010, travellers entering or leaving Malaysia with cash and/or negotiable bearer instruments (traveller's cheques, bearer cheques) exceeding US$10,000 must make a declaration in form Customs No. 22.

"The forms will be available at counters located before the customs checkpoints at all entry and exit points of the country.

"Travellers could be fined up to RM1 million and/or face imprisonment not exceeding a term of one year if they fail to declare or make a false declaration," it said in a statement here on Wednesday.

BNM said this was required under section 23 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001 and was in line with the Special Recommendation IX by the Financial Action Task Force which required countries to have measures in place to detect the physical cross-border transportation of cash and negotiable bearer instruments.

"This new requirement is in line with global efforts to combat money-laundering and terrorist financing activities.

"Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Philippines and Singapore have adopted the same declaration requirement on the physical transport of cash and negotiable bearer instruments," it said.