Cleanliness begins at home, M’sians reminded

What a stinker: A disgusted resident in Petaling Jaya after coming out from the public toilet.

PETALING JAYA: Malaysians on Facebook have linked the “poor” conditions of the country’s public toilets to the lack of education on the matter.

They were responding to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s lament on dirty public toilets on a Facebook post on The Star Online’s page.

Many citizens linked the lack of cleanliness to education.

“Let us teach cleanliness in school. We should start from kindergarten. As for the parents, be cooperative and do not sue the schools if

your kids are made to clean the toilets.

“These kids will grow up and will lead by example of what cleanliness is, ” Facebook user Zachary Eastmile said.

Moe Bharudin echoed his comment, saying “Teach our kids to clean toilets in school like the Japanese do”.

“Cleanliness starts at home, ” Tajuddin Hussin said. “Malaysians, in general, need to clean up their act and not blame the government and authorities whenever things don’t go your way.

“If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make that change.”

On top of that, some users blamed the lack of enforcement and “non-functional plumbing systems”.

“The old water cistern system does not have a continuous water flow system. More than likely, the user is not going to wait in the stinking toilet for the water to fill up, ” Annie Khoo said.

“Many a time the flushing system is faulty, not repaired and maintained at all times.”

“There is no strict enforcement, ” Charlie Giap added. “Why not follow methods of Singapore?”

Some also pointed out the amount of litter that is apparent in our public toilets.

“Not to mention the rubbish –water bottles, food wrappers carelessly chucked everywhere...” Heather Fairhead said.