Deputy Finance Minister Mohd Shahar Abdullah today offered to change an MP's counterfeit RM50 note with a real one.

Bank Negara's guidelines, however, state that fake notes can't be exchanged for real ones. Knowingly trading fake notes is also an offence under the Penal Code.

Shahar's offer came after Jalaluddin Alias (BN-Jelebu) [above, left] complained during question time that he had received a fake RM50 note at a night market and said this was proof of the widespread circulation of counterfeit money.