A factory technician forked out extra money to renovate his house in Johor as the initial contractor hired failed to do the job.
Md Amirul Shafiq Zakaria, 34, said he came across the contractor’s renovation services on social media.
The claimant said the total cost to renovate his double-storey terrace house in Bandar Bestari Perdana, Pasir Gudang, was quoted at RM30,000.
“I paid the contractor RM18,000 via bank transfer on Dec 28, 2025,” he said when met outside the Johor Consumer Claims Tribunal at Menara Ansar, Johor Baru.
“The remaining RM12,000 was to be paid upon completion of the project,” he added.
Md Amirul Shafiq, who works in Singapore, said the RM30,000 cost was for the kitchen table top, cornice for the ground floor area as well as installing three air-conditioning units and bedroom lights.
He said the renovation work was set to start on March 5 but the workers never showed up.
Upon checking, the contractor told him that the workers went back to Indonesia, he said.
“I gave him a month from March 5 to start work, but he did not respond.
“His Facebook account was also deactivated,” he said, adding that the contractor was active on another social media platform promoting car rental services.
“He never responded to my calls and messages.
“I went to his house but the security guards did not allow me to enter,” added the claimant.
Md Amirul Shafiq then hired another contractor from Kota Tinggi, paying RM25,000 for the renovation project.
“The job was completed in a month and I moved to the house in June,” he said, adding that he had originally planned to move in by April.
Tribunal president Lee Chee Thim ordered the respondent to refund RM18,000 to the claimant within two weeks.
Those in need of assistance with regards to Tribunal matters can call 07-2271755/1766 or visit the Tribunal office at Level 17, Menara Ansar, Jalan Trus.
