Has any cash machines been recalibrated to accept the new bank notes?

I love Bank Negara Malaysia's statement regarding the new bank notes that will be issued on 16 July 2012. It urged vendors of cash handling machines to ensure that their machines can accept both the new and old bank notes series for the convenience of the public by that date. I wonder whether the public will see another chaotic few weeks trying to find machines that have been calibrated to accept the new notes when the day comes as what we experienced during the introduction of the new coins. A that time Bank Negara explained that due notice had been given to the vendors on the change.

So is that the scope of Bank Negara's responsibilities? Bank Negara will inform and urge the vendors to change their machines but who monitors or ensures that there are functioning machines already in place by that date. I have not read any statements from the banks for example regarding their cash deposit machines. Has their machines been recalibrated to accept the new notes?

Why do authorities launch new products without take into consideration the lackadaisical attitude of Malaysians, either the people or the companies. Remember the change to the new MyKad? Many could not be bothered to change until the last minute and we even had campaigns to persuade the public to go to the registration departments. Don't forget as well the number of income tax payers postponing their filings until the eve of the deadline thereby congesting the system.

If Bank Negara is honest with itself a proactive action has to be taken. Random checks to see whether the recalibration has been done or new machines installed would be a relief to the public. At least we would not be taken by surprise on that day running hither and thither looking for the correct machine. The public is always at the losing end when these exercises are implemented. This is a classic example of the slogan “People First, Performance Now” gone astray.

Image from malaysiakita