Consumers’ Association of Penang complaints’ chief Ravinder Singh said the case was brought by a 64-year-old man over an engine problem of his new car bought in 2017.

Ravinder told FMT that the Consumer Claims Tribunal had ruled in the car buyer’s favour last year, because the car manufacturer had failed to present any defence when the case was being heard.

“The car manufacturer did not respond to the tribunal and it ruled in favour of the complainant on Nov 11. But on Nov 14, the car manufacturer filed a defence,” Ravinder said.

“Then on Dec 5 the tribunal set aside the earlier award favouring the complainant.”

Ravinder described the decision as “regrettable”. The tribunal should not allow any business to make a mockery of the system, he said.

He alleged that “unethical and deceitful representations” had been made.

FMT has contacted the Consumer Claims Tribunal for comment and is awaiting their reply.

Ravinder said the tribunal had not responded to a letter from CAP seeking answers.

The complaint was about engine problems in a RM60,000 car bought in early 2017 with only 1,150km on the odometer.

The buyer complained to the service centre that the engine made pinging and loud noises while going up slopes and ramps at his apartment building.

After many repeated visits to the service centre, the manufacturer offered to replace the engine but without any further warranty.

On Nov 11, the consumer tribunal ordered the manufacturer to provide a warranty for the engine as requested. However, the manufacturer filed a defence on Nov 14, claiming they were not told about the hearing.