DBKK should continue 'clean toilet' reward
Published on: Thursday, April 23, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: Resetting the people's mindset on toilets and rubbish is one of the most difficult tasks but it must be done for the benefit of the general public.Second World Toilet Convention Technical Director Datuk Chua Kim Hing said the convention is the perfect excuse and encouragement for toilet providers to reset their minds."Why are toilets dirty? Because of the providers' mindset. They already set in their minds that toilets are dirty, so it's ok as long as people can use it. This is their mindset.
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"When I was with City Hall, we offered RM500 incentive to coffee shops to upgrade their toilets. Some did but others did not. We closed their shops if their toilets were so dirty," he said.City Hall, he said, should have continued with the campaign even though it is difficult.The Quality Restroom Association Malaysia (QRAM) which is the organiser of the convention, said Chua, cannot do much as it does not have the authority and can only help in the campaign for clean toilets."If QRAM has a lot of money, it can continue with the money. We need to do away with the squat-type toilets and the hose and tissue paper must be provided.
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"We need to get rid of squat-type toilets because most people cannot use them especially the elderly. If there is a hose, users will wet the whole toilet and it becomes dirty."If we use bidet, we can still use water but without wetting the floor. However, we must ensure the toilet bowl is clean all the time," he said.
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Chua, who is the former City Hall Director General, said he planned to organise a media visit to three schools soon to mark the beginning of their campaign, to show to the public that clean toilet is a possibility.The toilets in the schools, he said, are so clean that students who enter the toilets take off their shoes.Chua said he agreed that there are two factors to the issue, namely the providers and the users, and many people would blame users for dirty toilets."But to me, most people can be reasonable. If our toilets are upgraded, appealing, clean and functioning, people will use them with respect and care. That is why my formula is for providers to act first and users last," he said.Meanwhile, Luyang Assemblyman Hiew King Chew, who took it upon himself to upgrade two toilets in his constituency, said it is lucky for Kota Kinabalu that the convention will be held in November."A huge amount of money will be required if we were to give facelift to all the toilets in Kota Kinabalu. Therefore, the easiest way is to clean them thoroughly and repair whatever is broken," he said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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