Five Malaysians are bidding to own the number plate ‘Patriot 1’, said to be the most expensive number plate registration in the country.

The auction price for the number plate starts at RM1 million, The Star reported.

The five interested individuals have also put down a 20 per cent deposit for their bids, the paper said.

The exclusive number plate is being offered by Yayasan Patriot Negara Malaysia (YPN). It is part of its initiative to raise funds to promote moderation and is working together with the Road Transport Department (RTD).

The RTD has agreed to release the special series registrations to the NGO.

The RTD has given the NGO permission to auction numbers Patriot 1 to Patriot 9999, YPN’s special project director Mass Ayu Mass Akbar told the daily.

The bidding for the vehicle registration number began on June 1 and the successful bidder will be announced on June 30.

YPN was set up in 2013 to initiate programmes that encourage racial unity, religious tolerance and patriotism among Malaysians.