Stable currencies sought after in the afterlife too

"Hell money" resembling US dollar notes, like the ones shopkeeper Ang Siew Siew sells at her shop in Penang, Malaysia, is in demand. Due to the weakening ringgit, there has been a surge in demand for fake cash - called hell money - resembling strong
PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

"Hell money" resembling US dollar notes, like the ones shopkeeper Ang Siew Siew sells at her shop in Penang, Malaysia, is in demand. Due to the weakening ringgit, there has been a surge in demand for fake cash - called hell money - resembling strong and stable currencies such as the US dollar, Singapore dollar and Chinese yuan. Devoted descendants observing the Qing Ming Festival burn the money as an offering to their deceased relatives. "They claimed US dollars would be useful if their ancestors need to go on a holiday in the afterlife," said Ms Ang.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 31, 2017, with the headline Stable currencies sought after in the afterlife too. Subscribe