One of the 11 men who had their heads shaved while in police custody has hit out at inaccurate press reports stating that the group had 'reconciled' with the police.

On Thursday, eight members from the group met with Selangor Chief Police Officer Yahaya Udin. Following this, several dailies reported that the group had opted not to sue the police for RM100mil as a form of 'reconciliation'.

"The police did not drop the charges, neither did they apologise to them. But they have dropped the suit against the police. Is this reconciliation? That would be a lie!" said absentee Lee Soo Heng, 63.

He added that the group who attended the meeting, went with hopes that their gambling charges would be dropped.

"I knew from the start, that is not going to happen, and I didn't turn up," he said.

The 11 were arrested by the Kajang police for playing mahjong at a coffeeshop in Taman Indah Cheras on Jan 30, the second day of Chinese New Year.

They claimed that while in the lock-up , which lasted 18 hours, police personnel shaved their heads after they were forced to strip to their underwear.

Politicised matter?

Lee, who claimed he is not affiliated with any political party, alleged that the majority of those present during the meeting were 'MCA people', and thus were persuaded to resolve the matter amicably.

According to Lee, several MCA assemblypersons who the group initially approached were, "scared and dare not pursue the matter,".

Lee is adamant that he has grounds to pursue legal action against the police, adding that he would discuss the matter with the other two absentees before making any decision.

One of the absentees was ill on Thursday while another had other commitments.

Meanwhile, one of the eight who was present during the meeting with Yahaya, told malaysiakini that most of them had no intention of suing the police over the incident.

"We just wanted to protest against our treatment. But during the press conference, it was DAP who announced their decision to represent us in a suit against the police. We were never consulted," said Lim Yew Bee, 54,

When asked to respond to Lim's allegations, DAP central committee member Ronnie Liu (right), who was at a press conference announcing the suit last week, asserted that the DAP had sought the prior approval of eight members of the group to take legal action against the police.

No apology

During the meeting, Yahaya was said to have voiced his disapproval of the action taken by the Kajang police.

"Yahaya conceded in the meeting that Kajang police officers who arrested us are wrong because we are not hardcore criminals and they should be more flexible in conducting the case especially since it happened during Chinese New Year," said Lim.

"He also disagreed on the 18-hour detention because there is no need for further investigation since the mahjong confisticated is the proof. We should be released after giving statement

"However Yahya did not apologise to us, he just said that Kajang police officers were at fault," he said, adding that he was 'satisfied' with the outcome of the meet.

When contacted, Balakong assemblyperson Hon Hee Lee who suggested and later arranged the meeting with Yahaya, denied allegations that the had exploited the eight men for political mileage.

"Others may see differently about the incident but we hope to find an amicable soloution to the matter instead of having to bring it to court," said the MCA politician.