Posted by
wetbenang
at
Friday, August 25, 2006
FIVE-PRONG CLEAN TOILET PLAN
Finally, our elected leaders are doing something useful, about something that I passionately care about -- clean public toilets. Yes! Number Two (no less) on Thursday revealed a five-prong plan towards promoting and achieving a quality toilet culture in the country.
The multi-prong approach includes enhancing public awareness, developing more model toilets, tightening laws against those who fail to provide clean public toilets, improving maintenance and starting a campaign in schools.
Number Two said the Government realised Malaysia's need for a toilet revolution -- similar to what had taken place in Japan and Korea -- in the country's race to be a fully developed nation by 2020.
"The Government sees the provision of quality public toilets as a high priority and recognises the vital contribution this well-managed service can make to foreign visitors," he was quoted by The Star.
I will pretend that I didn't read the "foreign visitors" bit, although this bizarre need to impress foreigners is symptomatic of the way things are done here. It's always about saving face, isn't it?
Anyway, based on the current state of affairs of Malaysian toilet manners, I foresee the implementors of the plan would have a long and bumpy road in front of them.
Convincing the Malaysian riff-raffs about what a clean toilet should look like is itself a tough job. I'm sure a majority of them would prefer those wet, squat types, while others -- myself included -- wish that these were beamed out of existence. Wet does not equal clean. Wet equals germs and bacteria.
Changing the mindset of the riff-raffs is another issue. Face it, Malaysians are a dirty, inconsiderate lot. A lot still litter. Some spit in public. Some don't flush. And a lot of time a lot of people don't think a lot of other people. Nak senangkan diri sendiri aje.
Even when you install the most sophisticated of toilets, if people don't change their attitude, these would be filthy in no time, no matter how vigorous their maintenance is.
One easy example is the toilets in an aircraft, especially on domestic routes. Despite the notices that request passengers to at least wipe the surfaces clean after use for the comfort of the next user, how many would really heed to the request?
I work in what I believe the most sophisticated building in the city, with toilets that match the building's reputation. Yet, some of my colleagues, whom I consider are more worldly and more sophisticated than the average riff-raff, still do not observe good toilet manners.
So, good luck to Number Two and the relevant Ministry. A lot of awareness needs to be enhanced. A lot of attitude needs to be changed. A lot of money needs to be spent.
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