COMUNICADO N. 006535

                        COMUNICADO N. 006535                         
                        --------------------                         

                                 Divulga notificacao do Banco Central
                                 da Malasia  - Perda  do  curso legal
                                 das cedulas de RM500 e RM1000.      


          Levamos  ao   conhecimento   dos   interessados   teor   de
notificacao do Banco Central da Malasia, de 21.10.98:                

                ANNOUNCEMENT BY BANK NEGARA MALAYSIA                 
            Demonetisation of RM500/RM1000 Currency Notes            

          In line  with exchange  control  measures to  stabilise the
Ringgit,  the  Central  Bank  of   Malaysia  (Bank  Negara  Malaysia)
announced on 12 September  1998 that currency notes  of the RM500 and
RM1000 denominations issued by  Bank Negara Malaysia  since 1967 will
be demonetised and cease to be legal tender effective 1 July 1999. In
exercice of its  power under Section  24 (3)  of the  Central Bank of
Malaysia Act,  1958,  Bank  Negara  Malaysia  will  call  in these  2
denominations notes, that is, the RM500  and RM1000 currency notes on
payment of the  respective face  value on giving  more than  nine (9)
months notice before  it cease  to be  legal tender  on 1  July 1999.
During this  period,  holders  of  the  RM500  and  RM1000 notes  are
encouraged to exchange  ringgit notes  of these denominations  at all
branches of commercials banks, finance companies, Bank Islam Malaysia
Berhad and Bank Simpanan Nasional within Malaysia.                   

2.        For holders of RM500/RM1000 currency notes outside Malaysia
who wish to bring them into Malaysia after 1 October 1998 for purpose
of exchange  into other  denominations  notes, they  must  obtain the
prior written  permission  of  the  Controller  of  Foreign  Exchange
(please see Appendix I).                                             

3.        Bank Negara Malaysia will ensure that there are sufficiente
and  adequate  facilities  to  ensure   that  smooth  redemption  and
withdrawal of these two  denominations within the  nine months period
ending 30 June 1999.                                                 

4.        With  the  withdrawal  of   these  two  denominations,  the
existing design series (referred to as  the 2nd Series) will comprise
of only  two  denominations namely  RM1,  RM5, RM10,  RM20,  RM50 and
RM100. Bank Negara  is introducing a  new series (referred  to as the
3rd Series) comprising  5 denominations  in stages begining  with the
RM2 in February  1996, the  RM10 in  January 1998,  the RM50  in July
1998, the RM100 tentatively in October 1998 and the RM5 in 1999. This
3rd series incorporate  some of the  latest security  features and it
will replace the existing series which will be gradually phased out. 

5.        Further information on the demonesation of the RM500/RM1000
notes will be  made avaiable  as and  when they  are release  by Bank
Negara Malaysia. If you wish to  make further enquiries regarding the
above, you may address them to:                                      
       The Head of Department                                        
       Currency Management and Operation Department                  
       Jalan Dato'Onn, P.O. Box 10922                                
       50929, Kuala Lumpur,                                          
       Malaysia.                                                     

       Tel.No.03-2907463/2907307/2907410/2907442/2907954             
       Fax No. 03-2981626                                            

                             APPENDIX I                              

                DEMONETISATION OF RM500/RM1000 NOTES                 

          In the  Press  Release issued  on September  12,  1998 Bank
Negara Malaysia has announced that ringgit  notes of RM500 and RM1000
denomination will cease  to be legal  tender in Malaysia  from 1 July
1999. Holders of the RM500  and RM1000 notes have  more than 9 months
to exchange ringgit  notes of  this denominatios  at all  branches of
commercial banks and  finance companies in  Malaysia. Please exchange
your RM500/RM1000 notes for  ringgit  notes of other denominations on
or before 30 June 1999.                                              

2.        Holders  of  ringgit  notes  abroad   who  wish  to  import
exceeding RM1000 into Malaysia after 30 September 1998 are encouraged
to obtain the  prior written permission  of the  Controller. In these
connection,                                                          
holders of RM500 and RM1000 notes abroad  would need to apply for the
permission of  the Controller  of  Foreign Exchange  to  import these
ringgit notes into  Malaysia for exchanging  into other denominations
on or  before  30  June  1999.  The  application  should provide  the
following information:                                               

          . NAME (as in passport/identity card);                     
          . PASSPORT/identity card number;                           
          .  AMOUNT   and  denomination  of   ringgit  notes   to  be
           repatriated;                                              
          . EXPECTED date or repatriation: and                       
          . MAILING adress and fax number.                           

3.        The application should also state the serial number of each
RM500 or RM1000  note and  the reason for  keeping the  notes abroad.
Malaysian holders of  the RM500  and RM1000 notes  overseas including
students and individuals who have difficulty, may wish to contact the
nearest  Malaysian  Embassies/High  Commissions  to  assist  them  to
complete their application. Any application  for permission should be
made to  the  Head,  Exchange  Control  Department  at the  following
address or contact number:                                           

          Adress:  Director                                          
                   Exchange Control Department                       
                   Bank Negara Malaysia                              
                   Jalan Dato'Onn                                    
                   50480 Kuala Lumpur                                

          Tel.No.: 603-291-0772      603-290-7354                    
                   603-290-7353      603-290-7780                    

          Fax No.: 603-293-7732                                      

                        Brasilia, 23 de dezembro de 1998.            

                        Jose Maria Ferreira de Carvalho              
                        Chefe