KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: To prove that the reward money of RM100,000 offered for the capture and conviction of those involved in the disappearance of Sharlinie Mohd Nashar is real, Datuk Michael Chong showed a stack of ringgit notes at a press conference here yesterday.

The MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head did this as several people had cast doubts on the sincerity of the donors who had offered the cash reward.

Chong said the department would give RM50,000 to those who helped get the suspect or suspects arrested and charged, while the remainder would be given upon conviction.

The decision was made after discussions with the department?s legal advisor Datuk Theng Bok, the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation and the police, he said.

"The money will be returned to the donors once the deadline has passed," Chong told reporters at his office here yesterday. The reward offer expires on Feb 29.

"We decided on a deadline because we believe some form of information will be obtained by then, which will help solve the case," Chong said.

The money was contributed by Chong, his company GMH Property Sdn Bhd, MCA vice-president Datuk Donald Lim, an anonymous individual, Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation vice-president M. Jayabarathi and tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan. Chong said the identity of the informants would be kept confidential.

Those with information should call the department at 03-21615678 or the Petaling Jaya police station 03-79662222.

Five-year-old Sharlinie went missing while playing at a playground near her house in Taman Medan, Petaling Jaya, on Jan 9.