KUALA LUMPUR: SMTrack Bhd (SMTrack) is offering US$10,000 (or around RM41,900) to those who can prove parties or individuals responsible for the spread of fake news against the company on online media.

SMTrack said the reward would be given to an informant with factual evidence that could be used in court against the individuals involved in the spread of the accusations against the company in relation to the implementation of radio-frequency identification (RFID) project.

"This initiative was proposed by the group's substantial shareholder, Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew, and seconded by the independent non-Executive director Datuk Saiful Nizam," it said in a statement today.

SMTrack deputy executive chairman Azmi Osman said the company wanted to take concrete steps against "scandalmonger" who hide behind the name of "sources" and spread fake news and misinformation. 

Over the last few years, Azmi said the company had seen how propaganda and fake news were being spread online and hurt the integrity of institutions, whether it was related to health, science, corporations, financial markets or even politics.

"While we want to ensure that whistleblowers are protected, we need to make sure that it does not hurt institutions, corporations or individuals such as our independent director and substantial shareholder.

"As mentioned in our previous media release, the damage of these baseless accusations has a severe implication against the integrity of our capital market, company and stakeholders," he added.

Azmi said the US$10,000 reward was aimed to heal the scar of its collective conscience from the spread of fake news and misinformation.

"Irresponsible parties have used fake news, misinformation and baseless allegations to tarnish the integrity of our company, our stakeholders and our capital market. We aim to help those affected by these false accusations to recover," he said.

The US$10,000 reward would be given based on a "first-come basis", the company said.

"Only one reward of US$10,000 would be paid out, and if there is more than one informant, the reward would be shared on an equal basis," it said.

Meanwhile, SMTrack said the company would take legal action against parties proven responsible for spreading this fake news and misinformation against it.

This is in line with the company's media release over the weekend that vowed to take actions against these lies to protect its integrity.

SMTrack will donate any monetary compensation awarded by the court in the future concerning the baseless allegations of the company, its independent non-executive director and substantial shareholder.