KUALA LUMPUR, June 16 (Sin Chew Daily) — Two young hawkers who claimed that they had been extorted RM500 by the police and that the latter also threw away the herbal soup they spent five hours to boil, now said the extortion did not take place.

Lim Thiam Fook, 21, said all allegations were lies.

Spending eight hours at the police station, Lim was unable to identify the policemen whom he claimed to have extorted him earlier.

"The incident occurred but my friend's brother and I are no longer keen to spend time on the matter.

"We are ready to face the consequences," said Thiam Fook.

Thiam Fook said he did not expect the matter to receive nationwide attention.

He only came to know about the press conference organized by Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng when the latter informed him.

Thiam Fook said he was willing to face the action taken by the police as he only wanted this whole thing to end so that he would not have to face the enormous pressure.

Thiam Fook was unable to identify the policemen who he said had extorted him and was unsure whether they were bogus policemen.

Sentul police chief ACP Beh Eng Lai said as Thiam Fook admitted to have lodged a fake report to the investigation officer, the police would submit the findings to the Deputy Public Prosecutor to decide if he should be prosecuted for lodging fake police report.

ACP Beh said Thiam Fook's claim was serious as it was unfair to the police force. The allegation had tarnished the public image of the police.

Lip Eng apologized to members of the public for highlighting the matter in the press conference and claimed that the police were professional without taking sides in this matter.

"I hope the police will continue with its investigation to take appropriate action," Lip Eng said.

Thiam Fook claimed that at 6.30am on June 2 while on his way to the food court with his friend on a motorcycle, they were stopped by three policemen.

Thiam Fook claimed that the policemen asked for approval letter for work and when they were unable to produce the letter, the police suspected them of 'drug possession and trafficking'.

The police then asked them for RM500 and poured away 33 bowls of soups they had spent five hours to boil.