MUAR: After over three decades of working at a bank, K. Vijayakumar has found an unexpected sense of purpose in a place many would overlook – a public toilet.
The 66-year-old retired customer service officer now spends his mornings tending to the public toilets at Dataran Tanjung Emas here, a popular riverside square overlooking Sungai Muar, where he greets visitors as warmly as he once did bank customers.
Vijayakumar, who retired about six years ago, became familiar with workers in the area as he was a regular jogger there.
“When a Muar Municipal Council staff member offered me a chance to replace the previous attendant last August, I agreed since I had a lot of time on my hands,” he said.
“To me, there are no lowly jobs. Dignity comes from how one approaches the work at hand.”
Vijayakumar said his four children are supportive of his retirement plans.
His routine begins at 6.30am, when he unlocks the facility and prepares it for the public.
He cleans and maintains the toilets about three times a day using proper equipment and cleaning agents to ensure the facilities remain dry, odour-free and comfortable for users.
He added that the facility itself is unique, believed to be among the first in Muar that require users to change into provided slippers before entering the toilet to maintain hygiene.
He also said the toilet, which has previously received recognition for its standards, reflects Muar’s image as a clean town.
“I am glad to play my part and give back to society through my services,” he said.
Despite the nature of the job, he finds joy in the small, human moments, such as “seeing people rushing across the car park because they urgently need to use the toilet,” he said with a chuckle.
“After that, we usually share a laugh and have a chat. These conversations, no matter how brief, are among the highlights of my day.”
The grandfather of four said he earns about RM80 a day as a toilet attendant, but stressed that he is not doing it for income.
“I find joy in what I do, and I hope to continue working for as long as I can,” he added.
