Foo (left) displays documents during a press conference while homeowner Mr Tay shows photographs and a police report relating to his stalled house rebuilding project.
KUCHING (May 29): A homeowner is urging police to re-investigate whether elements of cheating were involved after a contractor allegedly collected RM50,000, demolished his house and failed to complete the rebuilding project.
Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Public Complaints Bureau chief Milton Foo said the homeowner, identified only as Mr Tay, engaged the contractor in March 2024 to demolish and rebuild his semi-detached house after receiving assurances that the project could be completed.
According to Foo, Mr Tay paid the contractor a total of RM50,000 in stages, beginning with a RM40,000 deposit on March 27, 2024, followed by several additional payments.
“After the project began and the house was demolished, there were repeated delays. Quite often there were no workers on site and no work was done at all during that period.
“Various excuses were given for the delays, including financial issues, banking problems and worker shortages. There were also claims of hospitalisation and even the death of relatives,” he said.
He added that Mr Tay possesses WhatsApp voice recordings and other documents which he believes support his allegations.
“Today, the old house has been demolished but the new house remains incomplete, with only a small portion of the project carried out,” said Foo at a press conference.
He said Mr Tay had lodged police reports and sought assistance from various agencies but was informed that the matter was a civil dispute.
Foo said the homeowner subsequently brought the matter before the Tribunal Tuntutan Pengguna Malaysia (TTPM), which ordered the contractor to refund RM50,000.
However, he said the contractor has yet to comply with the award.
“If someone receives RM50,000, demolishes a person’s house, leaves the project stalled for an extended period and later admits he cannot complete the work, then the authorities should at least investigate whether any criminal element exists,” he said.
Foo also urged members of the public to engage licensed and qualified contractors, particularly for demolition and rebuilding works involving older semi-detached houses.
He said he recently visited the site and observed alleged damage affecting the adjoining property, including water seepage into the neighbouring unit.
While acknowledging that many contractor disputes fall under civil law, Foo said it was ultimately for investigators to determine whether criminal elements were present in this case.