A contractor has been ordered by the Johor Consumer Claims Tribunal to refund RM28,700 to a Penang-based auditor after failing to complete a home renovation project.

Lim Wei Choon, 30, who works in Singapore, engaged the contractor to renovate his three-room condominium in Gelugor, Penang. The agreed-upon project, valued at RM80,370, was partially paid by Lim with a total of RM59,500 transferred in five installments into the contractor’s company account between February and July 2025.

Renovation work began on March 15, 2025, approximately one month after the initial payment of RM7,500. The scope of renovations included built-in wardrobes for the bedrooms, kitchen cabinets, furnishing for the living room, plaster ceiling installation, electrical wiring, and painting. The contractor had assured Lim that the work would be completed by August 2025.

However, Lim reported that while basic renovation tasks were carried out, critical elements such as cabinets and air conditioning units were never installed. He stated that the contractor ceased work and abandoned the project as of August 14, 2025. Lim had been referred to the contractor by a friend who had previously hired the same company for renovations in the same condominium block in 2024.

Following the contractor’s failure to complete the work, Lim filed a police report on October 20, 2025, at the Jalan Patani police station in George Town. The contractor initially agreed to repay RM43,700 but only refunded RM15,000, leaving an outstanding amount of RM28,700.

Presiding tribunal president Hafez Zalkapli has directed the contractor to return the remaining sum within two weeks. The tribunal’s office, located at Level 17, Menara Ansar, Jalan Trus in Johor Baru, is available to assist consumers with similar complaints. It operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and until 4 p.m. on Fridays. The office is closed on public holidays and can be contacted at 07-227 1755 or 07-227 1766 for assistance.