Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) is focusing on cleanliness, efficient maintenance and improved accessibility in its efforts to upgrade public toilets.
Johor Baru mayor Datuk Mohd Haffiz Ahmad said the city council had appointed contractors to clean and maintain the facilities to ensure they were functional and fit for use.
“The contractors are responsible for cleaning public toilets at council-owned premises, including office buildings, food courts, commercial centres and halls,” he told StarMetro.
For 2026, Mohd Haffiz said MBJB allocated RM1mil to upgrade public toilets, especially those at high-traffic locations.
The allocation, he said, was part of efforts to improve toilets and provide a more comfortable user experience.
He also said the city council had implemented a star-rating system for public toilets to monitor compliance with the required criteria and standards.
Upgrading projects
One of MBJB’s notable achievements is the Legaran Segget public toilet, which won the Housing and Local Government Ministry’s Toilet of the Year Award (Totya) in 2024.
Located near the busy Bazar Karat JB in Jalan Segget, the toilet serves visitors to the popular shopping area.
The city council has also upgraded public toilets at Dataran Bandaraya, Jalan Syed Mohd Mufti, Hutan Bandar and Laman Tasik Pandan, he said.
“The upgrading works have improved the facilities and made them more comfortable for visitors, especially those attending events at Dataran Bandaraya or visiting Hutan Bandar for recreation.
“MBJB’s next project is the upgrading of a toilet at Tunku Mahkota Ismail Youth Centre (TMIYC) in Hutan Bandar, into a smart toilet, said Mohd Haffiz.
Cleaning, inspections
Besides upgrading works, MBJB has allocated RM864,900 for cleaning services at its public toilets over a two-year period from 2026 to 2028.
A further RM250,000 has been set aside for a separate two-year maintenance contract.
Mohd Haffiz said the maintenance contract would allow the city council to address reports of damaged facilities.
“With the allocation, MBJB can appoint a contractor to carry out repairs promptly when damage is reported,” he said.
“MBJB also carries out daily cleaning and periodic inspections to maintain hygiene standards at public toilets.
“Contractors must carry out daily cleaning and report any damage found at the toilets under their care,” he said.
Mohd Haffiz said periodic inspections were carried out using a checklist to assess contractors’ performance.
“The contractors’ performance is monitored, with deductions imposed at the prescribed rates if the required work is not carried out,” he added.
Cashless payment
Digital payment is another feature at the Legaran Segget public toilet, where users pay RM1 per entry via a quick response (QR) code system.
Mohd Haffiz said the system streamlined revenue collection without requiring an MBJB worker to be stationed at the entrance to handle payments.
“The QR code payment system is very helpful as it supports MBJB’s move towards fully cashless transactions.
“The Legaran Segget facility generates an average of RM6,000 in monthly collections, which helps offset cleaning and maintenance costs,” he said.
However, the QR-code-only payment system may pose difficulties for users without smartphones or those unfamiliar with digital payments.
Mohd Haffiz said only digital payments were accepted at the Legaran Segget public toilets.
“The QR codes are placed at suitable locations, making it easier for people to pay for entry.”
The city council did not specify whether alternative payment methods would be introduced for those unfamiliar with digital transactions.
Lodge complaints
Mohd Haffiz said the public could also report on problems requiring attention, such as dirty facilities, unpleasant odours or damaged equipment.
He said all complaints received were referred to the relevant contractors for action.
“All complaints are recorded. Complaints concerning cleanliness will be referred to the cleaning contractors, while those involving damaged facilities are referred to the appointed maintenance contractor for immediate action.
“In 2025, MBJB received 190 complaints involving public toilets, and all of them were resolved,” he said.
Mohd Haffiz said CCTV cameras and regular monitoring were among measures used to address issues.
“CCTV installations and periodic monitoring are carried out to help address vandalism and damage to public toilets,” he said.
Inclusive design
The city council is also taking into account the needs of different user groups when designing new facilities and upgrading existing ones.
“Every development and upgrading project takes into account universal-design elements to ensure the facilities provided are inclusive, easily accessible and meet the needs of all members of the community.
“These measures cater to persons with disabilities, senior citizens and others who require accessible facilities,” Mohd Haffiz added.
A visitor scanning a QR code to pay before using the public toilet at Legaran Segget in Johor Baru.
The upgraded public toilet in Leggaran Segget, Johor Baru, is located in a high-traffic area near Bazar Karat JB.
Mohd Haffiz says MBJB carries out daily cleaning and periodic inspections to maintain hygiene standards at public toilets.
MBJB has upgraded five public toilets under its jurisdiction, including this one at Dataran Bandaraya Johor Baru.
Proper signage has been installed at a public toilet located at Dataran Bandaraya Johor Baru in the city centre.
