$2 CURRENCY NOTE (Change of colour)

Dr Koh Lam Son asked the Minister for Finance whether he will consider withdrawing or changing the $2 currency note as its similarity to the $10 note causes confusion.

The Acting Minister for Finance (BG Lee Hsien Loong): Mr Speaker, Sir, when the $2 note was first issued in January 1991, there were some reports of members of the public mistaking it for a $10 note (I have made that mistake more than once myself). Some MPs have also commented on this problem. In view of the feedback, the Minister for Finance directed the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore to examine the matter together with the Currency Note Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee has recommended that the colour of the note be changed from red to purple when the note is reprinted next month. The new supplies should be ready for issue during the next Lunar New Year festive period. However, there are still some stocks of the old note left and these will be issued first. The public is getting used to the note and there have been fewer complaints in recent months.