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About the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)

What Is the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)?

The Malaysian Ringgit, abbreviated as MYR and often represented by the symbol "RM," is the official currency of Malaysia. RM stands for "Ringgit Malaysia." The term "Ringgit" means "jagged" in Malay, originally referring to the serrated edges of silver Spanish dollars. The Ringgit is divided into 100 smaller units known as sen. The Malaysian Ringgit is the sole legal tender in Malaysia, and it is used for all transactions within the country.

The Malaysian Ringgit is issued by the Central Bank of Malaysia, known as Bank Negara Malaysia. Established on January 26, 1959, under the Central Bank of Malaysia Act 1958, Bank Negara Malaysia is the sole authority responsible for issuing currency in Malaysia. In addition to currency issuance, the central bank also manages monetary policy, financial stability, and the overall financial system infrastructure in the country.

What Is the History of MYR?

The Ringgit has a rich history, tracing back to the times when Malaysia was a part of European colonial powers. Initially, the Spanish dollars were used, later replaced by the Indian Rupee in 1837, and then reintroduced 30 years later. The Straits Dollar took over in 1903, pegged at two shillings to the British Pound. The Malaysian Ringgit was introduced in 1967, replacing the Dollar Malaya, which was also used by Singapore and Brunei.

Notes and Coins of MYR

The first series of coins and banknotes were issued in 1967. Over the years, various denominations have been used, including 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 sen coins, and RM1, RM5, RM10, RM20, RM50, RM100 banknotes. The RM500 and RM1000 notes were discontinued in 1999 due to the Asian Financial Crisis.

Is MYR Pegged to the US Dollar?

The Malaysian Ringgit (MYR), issued by Bank Negara Malaysia, is not pegged to the US Dollar. Historically, during the Asian Financial Crisis in 1998, Malaysia had pegged the Ringgit to the US Dollar at a rate of 3.8 MYR to 1 USD to stabilize its economy. However, this peg was removed on July 21, 2005, following a similar decision by China regarding the Renminbi. Since then, the Ringgit has been operating under a managed float system, where its value is determined by market forces of supply and demand, with occasional interventions by the central bank to ensure stability. This transition reflects a move towards aligning the Ringgit's value more closely with Malaysia's economic fundamentals and market dynamics.

What Is the Price History of MYR?

The Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) has experienced a dynamic price history, significantly influenced by regional and global economic events. Before 1998, the Ringgit's value fluctuated in response to domestic and international economic conditions. The Asian Financial Crisis of 1997-1998 dramatically impacted the Ringgit, leading Malaysia to peg it to the US Dollar at 3.8 MYR to 1 USD in 1998 for stability. This peg was removed in 2005, transitioning the Ringgit to a managed float system where its value is determined by market forces, though occasionally stabilized by interventions from Bank Negara Malaysia. Since then, the Ringgit's valuation has been influenced by various factors, including global oil prices, Malaysia's economic policies, US-China trade tensions, and domestic political scenarios, reflecting its sensitivity to both internal and external economic dynamics. As of January 2024, the Malaysian Ringgit is trading at a rate of 1 MYR = 0.22 US dollars.