What Every Malaysian Consumer Should Know in 2025
In 2025, a growing number of Malaysians have been caught off-guard when gyms, wellness centres, and even hair treatment centres abruptly shut down—sometimes just days after customers paid for expensive yearly packages.
From the closure of major gyms like True Fitness and Gorgeous Fitness in previous years, to the recent 1Fit Malaysia shutdown, the problem persists. These cases raise a serious question:
What can consumers do if their prepaid service centre disappears overnight?
Case Studies: Gym and Wellness Centre Closures in Malaysia
Here are some examples that shocked consumers in Malaysia:
1Fit Malaysia (2025) – Closed operations shortly after aggressively promoting yearly membership deals. Many customers were left with no service and no refund.
True Fitness (2017) – Closed with no warning, affecting thousands across Klang Valley and Penang. Some continued being charged despite the closure.
Gorgeous Fitness – Known for abrupt shutdowns and locked doors with no prior notice to members.
These incidents are not limited to gyms—beauty salons and hair care centres have also faced similar accusations, where consumers prepaid for treatment packages worth thousands of ringgit, only to find outlets closed without refund.
What Should You Do If This Happens to You?
Here’s a practical action plan if your hair, beauty, or fitness centre suddenly shuts down:
1. Gather All Evidence
Payment receipts
Contracts or treatment package brochures
Screenshots of SMS, WhatsApp, or emails
Bank or credit card statements
Photos of the closed outlet or signage
2. File a Report with Consumer Authorities (KPDN/KPDNKK or TTPM)
You can lodge a claim through:
Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDN)
Tribunal for Consumer Claims Malaysia (TTPM)
If your package is below RM25,000, you can claim without hiring a lawyer.
3. Join or Form a Victim Support Group
Search Facebook or WhatsApp for others who bought the same package. Group complaints tend to receive faster attention from the authorities and media.
4. Request a Credit Card Chargeback
If you paid via credit card, contact your bank or credit card provider and request a chargeback for “non-delivered services.” Some banks may approve refunds, especially if the closure happened within 60 to 120 days of purchase.
5. Stop Any Ongoing Instalments
If your package was set up on instalment payments via auto-debit, immediately:
Contact the bank or service provider to cancel
Provide proof of closure to prevent future deductions
6. Monitor for Liquidation Notices
If the business is being legally wound down, look for public notices of liquidation. You may be able to file a Proof of Debt to claim back part of your losses—but note that returns are usually partial.
7. Seek Legal Action If Needed
For packages above RM25,000, you can file a civil case, or in some situations, join a class action suit with other affected consumers.
Your Consumer Rights in Malaysia
Under the Consumer Protection Act 1999, you are entitled to:
Clear, honest information before purchase
Refunds for non-delivered services
Dispute mechanisms through TTPM
Legal remedies for breach of contract
Accountability if the business is still operating under a different name
What You Should Do Before Signing Any Yearly Package
To reduce the risk of being a victim:
Avoid paying full-year packages upfront. Request monthly payment options.
Ask for a printed service agreement with refund and cancellation terms.
Visit the outlet multiple times, and if possible, ask to observe how they treat existing customers before signing up.
Check reviews, media reports, and their financial history.
Google the brand name with keywords like “scam,” “closed,” “problem,” or “complaint.”
Final Thoughts
No one expects a service provider to disappear overnight—but as 2025 has shown us with cases like 1Fit Malaysia, it’s not uncommon. The same risk applies to hair centres, facial spas, and wellness clinics.
Be a smart consumer:
Always document your purchases
Know your rights
Act fast if something goes wrong
And most importantly, protect your money
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