The 'UTM' special vehicles registration numbers, which has been opened for sales biddings since last December 2, have sold almost 1,000 numbers, involving a value of RM1.6 million.

UTM Deputy Vice Chancellor (Development) Prof Dr Mohd Hamdan Ahmad said the university, which is the first university to sell special registration numbers in the country, targeted to collect over RM15 million from the sale for the UTM Endowment Fund.

"We are approaching a sale of 1,000 numbers and there is a balance of 9,000 more numbers, to be sold in two more years, because the agreement with the Road Transport Department (RTD) is within a three-year period," he said.

He was speaking to reporters during the closing ceremony of 2020 UTM Merdeka Convoy, at the Johor Heritage Foundation, here yesterday.

Mohd Hamdan said various promotions would be actively carried out by UTM to reach the target including through the convoy.

He said out of the 1,000 numbers sold, the highest bidding involved a price of RM100,000.

"All the vehicle special registration numbers were not only bought by UTM staff, students and alumni, but also members of the public all over the country.

"To attract buyers, UTM is also offering discount in conjunction with Merdeka, between 25 to 50 per cent, based on categories, namely, staff, students, alumni and public, beginning Aug 1 to Sept 16," he said.

Meanwhile, on the cars and motorcycles convoy, Mohd Hamdan said the event was aimed to further enliven the independence day celebration, and to strengthen the bond between the university and its alumni.

He said the convoy, which began at UTM's Padang Kawad (marching field), had passed through several locations including Gelang Patah and Kota Iskandar, before arriving at the finishing point at the Johor Heritage Foundation.