Two men arrested over fake RM1,000 notes

KUCHING: Two men were arrested by police for possession of counterfeit RM1,000 notes after they attempted to change the money at the regional office of Bank Negara here on Wednesday.

State Commercial Crime Investigation Department head Supt Mustafa Kamal Gani Abdullah said the suspects, a 49-year- old local and a 48-yearold China national, were nabbed around 1.45pm after the police were alerted by Bank Negara officers.

“Among the items seized from the suspects included 10 pieces of RM1,000 bank notes which are believed to be counterfeit, a mobile phone and two SIM cards,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Mustafa Kamal added that initial investigations revealed the local suspect did not have a fixed job, while the foreigner worked as a wireman in China.

“Both of them claimed to have obtained the RM1,000 notes from China. We are, however, still investigating the matter.”

The two suspects, meanwhile, were remanded yesterday for further investigation, with the local man remanded for a period of two days until April 15 while the China national for a period of four days until April 17.

The case has been classified under Section 489c of the Penal Code for possession of counterfeit bank notes, which carries a jail term of up to 10 years upon conviction.

Among the items seized from the suspects included 10 pieces of RM1,000 bank notes which are believed to be counterfeit, a mobile phone and two SIM cards. Supt Mustafa Kamal Gani Abdullah, state Commercial Crime Investigation Department head