The bad image of public facilities in Malaysia

The issue of clean and usable toilets at public places in Malaysia and especially at entry points to our country seems to be a perennial topic. What will it take to clean the image of our public toilets?

Very few of the public facilities at our entry points are up to the mark. Whenever the cleaners have done their “cleaning”, the floors are always wet and I'm dubious whether it is really clean. Can't the cleaning team be sent for training at five-star hotels for example to learn a lesson or two from the premier hospitality establishments. I would use the premier hotels as the ultimate benchmark since most often their public facilities are clean, usable and a pleasure to be in.

The least we can learn is how the premier hotels clean their public facilities in such a way that the floors are not wet and slippery as can often be experienced at public facilities elsewhere. That should be a priority as a wet and slippery floor is a most unwelcoming sight to anyone who wants to use the facilities.

Does it take stricter law enforcement or a star ratings system like the food establishments? We give an A for those who maintain their public facilities up to the benchmark set and the ratings is to be reviewed periodically. Highlight the good and bad ones so there will be more customers coming to those who take the effort to maintain the cleanliness of their public facilities. The bad ones will be listed in a hall of shame so that the public knows the management does not take the trouble to upkeep the public facilities at his premises.

We are quite certain, Malaysia's toilets will still be the bane of tourists and locals alike for some time to come unless and until a more concerted effort is made to change our attitudes towards the upkeep of the public facilities.

Image from malaysia-pictures