PUTRAJAYA: The special car registration number plate "Malaysia 1" has broken the record as the most expensive bid ever made for a single number.

The winning bid, made by Aldi International Sdn Bhd, was RM1,111,111, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

“The bidding for special plate numbers "Malaysia 1" to "Malaysia 9999" was opened to the public from Aug 1 to Aug 15.

“The number of successful bids were 3,353, with the highest bid for a single number totalling at RM1,111,111, for 'Malaysia 1’.

“Through this exercise, the government has earned RM13.1mil.

"All of this money will go straight into the government’s coffers,” said Loke at a press conference here on Friday.

The previous record bid was made for the number plate "V1", which was worth RM989,000.

There are still 6,645 numbers left in the Malaysia series and they are still available. The public can make their bids online or by visiting their nearest Road Transport Department (JPJ) branches.

Only "Malaysia 2020" is not available for bidding, as it has been reserved for Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s official car.