The authorities were still in the dark last night as to why hundreds of RM50 notes (worth about $18 each) were left scattered along the Bukit Timah Expressway on Monday evening.

Motorists were seen dodging traffic to pick up the Malaysian ringgit along the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE). The incident happened at around 6pm on the BKE stretch towards Changi, before Mandai Road, Chinese evening paper Shin Min Daily News said yesterday.

A 60-year-old businessman, who gave his name as Mr Liu, told Shin Min that he was driving with a friend when he noticed the notes lying on the road. "I initially thought they were hell notes (Chinese incense paper) but upon slowing down I spotted a RM50 note," he said.

A 40-second clip of the incident uploaded on YouTube shows vehicles slowing down there.

About 10 people could be seen picking up the notes at the side of the expressway. One motorcyclist was even seen cutting across three lanes, seemingly to park at the roadside so he could pick up the notes.

According to Chinese evening paper Lianhe Wanbao, bus passengers in the area even asked to alight - but were not allowed to.

Police said last night: "Our roads are shared by everyone. With this understanding all motorists should always be aware that they should abide by traffic rules at all times."

Samantha Boh