The First Series of Malaysian Banknotes as a Symbol of a Nation’s Independence

Abstract

Since 1963, numerous national symbols have undergone a significant design modification, including Malaysian banknotes. As a symbol of an independent nation, the banknote presents an acceptance of its value but alternately plays as a propaganda tool. This paper aims to examine the illustrations depicted on the first series of Malaysian banknote designs through the semiotic analysis approach. The study has revealed that the portrait, logo, roman Malay script, building, the ringgit currency against the dollar, and the Malay governor's signature are legitimate evidence to appoint the first series of the Malaysian banknotes as one of the national symbols. Keywords: Banknote Design; National Symbol; Semiotic. eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2022. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v7iSI7%20(Special%20Issue).3797