Singapore to stop issuing notes to deter money laundering

Singapore: Singapore’s central bank said on Thursday it would stop issuing Singapore dollar 10,000 (USD 8,000) notes to help prevent money laundering, with critics complaining the note is the bill of choice for bribe-payers in neighbouring Indonesia.
A spokeswoman for the Monetary Authority of Singapore said “the decision was a pre-emptive move to mitigate the higher money laundering risks associated with large value cash transactions”.

The central bank’s comments come days after an Indonesian financial watchdog urged Singapore to immediately withdraw all Singapore dollar10,000 notes instead of just discontinuing them.

Santoso said in Indonesia the Singapore dollar10,000 note is the “bill of choice for bribe-payers or graft suspects because they can exchange a large amount of rupiah for just a few banknotes”.

Singapore, a global financial centre and major player in the wealth management industry, has rejected accusations that it is a haven for money-laundering and foreign tax cheats.

The government has also said it is scrutinizing new forms of illicit financing such as through the trade of precious stones and metals.