RM50,000 gone, house demolished: Bintawa owner wants contractor held accountable, seeks police probe

Foo (left) and Tay during a press conference on May 29, 2026.

By Karen Bong

KUCHING, May 29: A homeowner has urged police to investigate possible criminal elements, including dishonesty and cheating, after allegedly paying RM50,000 for the rebuilding of his house in Bintawa, only for the project to be abandoned for nearly two years.

The victim, identified only as Tay, sought help from Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Public Complaints Bureau chief Milton Foo, claiming that despite police reports and legal action, the matter has so far been treated merely as a civil dispute.

Speaking at a press conference today, Tay said he hired a contractor in 2024 to demolish and rebuild his two-storey semi-detached house for RM85,000, covering structural works, walls and flooring.

“I trusted the contractor because he repeatedly assured me he could complete the rebuilding works. I even asked him if I should move all my belongings out, and he said yes,” he said.

Believing the assurances, Tay emptied the house and allowed demolition works to proceed. However, he claimed the project stalled shortly after the old structure was torn down.

According to Tay, he paid RM40,000 upfront on March 27, 2024, before making additional progressive payments, bringing the total amount paid to RM50,000.

“He told me the money was needed for foundation works, iron materials, workers’ wages and construction costs. But after demolition, work kept getting delayed and there were long periods when nothing was done,” he alleged.

Tay said the contractor later cited various reasons for the delays, including banking problems, labour shortages and material supply issues.

Eventually, the contractor allegedly admitted being unable to complete the project.

“I have WhatsApp voice messages and other evidence showing what happened,” Tay said.

He added that another contractor was later hired separately to complete limited foundation works, including piling and slabs, but the rebuilding project remains unfinished.

Tay said he lodged police reports on April 11 and Nov 19, 2025, and also engaged a lawyer who issued a letter of demand on Oct 21, 2025 seeking repayment and compensation.

The matter was later brought before the Consumer Claims Tribunal, which on April 22, 2026 ordered the contractor to repay RM50,000 within 14 days from the date the award was served.

Despite this, Tay expressed disappointment that no serious criminal investigation had been initiated.
“If someone takes RM50,000, demolishes another person’s house, leaves the project abandoned and later admits they cannot complete it, shouldn’t this be properly investigated?” he asked.

“I am not trying to convict anyone through this press conference. I only hope the authorities will thoroughly re-examine the case because what happened to me could happen to others.”

Meanwhile, Foo said Tay hoped police would investigate whether offences involving cheating or deception under Section 420 of the Penal Code may have been committed.

“The concern is whether there was dishonest inducement to obtain payment for works the contractor had no capability to complete,” Foo said.

Foo said Tay was seeking justice and hoped the contractor would at least be held accountable.

He added that even if the RM50,000 were eventually repaid, the amount would no longer be sufficient to rebuild the house today.

“Tay could enforce the Consumer Claims Tribunal award through the Magistrate’s Court should the contractor fail to comply with the repayment order,” he added.

Foo also reminded the public to engage qualified and licensed contractors, especially for projects involving demolition works.

He revealed that the neighbouring unit sharing the semi-detached structure had also been affected, with rainwater seeping into walls and damaging property, while electrical hazards had emerged due to the incomplete works.

According to Foo, the SUPP Public Complaints Bureau has received numerous similar complaints over the years involving contractors allegedly taking payments but failing to complete renovation or rebuilding projects. — DayakDaily