File pic of Loke announcing the 'M-M' series in August 2023.
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of RM311.8mil was collected from the sale of special vehicle registration numbers in 2023, with the "M_M" series alone at RM21mil, Parliament was told.
"The sale of the special series vehicle registration numbers began in 2019, and bidding started in 2023.
"For the special 'M_M' series, sales revenue amounted to RM21mil," Transport Minister Anthony Loke said in reply to a question from Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (PN-Kuala Kangsar) during Question Time.
Iskandar had asked the Transport Ministry to state the total proceeds collected from the sales of the numbers and the initiatives implemented from sales proceeds from 2018 to 2023.
The M_M series, which stands for "Malaysia Merdeka", is in conjunction with Malaysia's 66th National Day celebrations, which will see two Ms sandwiching a number (e.g., M 8888 M).
Loke also revealed that total proceeds for the GOLD series was RM17mil.
He also expressed gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia for bidding for the "GOLD1" number plate and contributing to government revenue.
"Half of all total revenue is returned to the Transport Ministry for the implementation of several initiatives," he said.
He added that between 2018 and 2023, all proceeds from the sale of vehicle registration numbers were channelled to the government's consolidated fund and the ministry did not receive any funds from the sales.
"However, as announced by Prime Minister during Budget 2024, a portion of the NPI sales will be channelled to the less fortunate group, including to pay for driving tests for class B2 motorcycle licenses, ehailing and taxis, which will benefit more than 40,000 youths from less fortunate families," he said.
He added that a total of 100,000 helmets, including children's helmets, would be supplied and distributed free of charge to less privileged families.
