DUNGUN: Does Malaysia have the best public toilets in the world? Unfortunately no, according to countless articles you can find online. But the public toilet in Rantau Abang here might be on its way to becoming one.
The Rantau Abang public toilet in Terengganu was recently named the Best Toilet in the Asean Best Toilet Standard 2019 – 2021 category in conjunction with the Asean Tourism Forum 2019 held in Ha Long City, Vietnam recently.
Caretaker/cleaner Faridah Sariman, 46, was flushed with excitement when she found out about it.
“I was so surprised and did not expect for the toilet to be recognised at Asean level,” said Faridah, who’s been cleaning the toilet with her husband Zainuddin Mat Ali, 44, since six years ago.
Faridah added that the toilet had received several recognitions before, such as the silver recipient at the World Toilet Day which was held in Kuala Lumpur in 2016.
“In 2017 and 2018, the toilet received an award from Terengganu Local Authority and I’m still proud of that.
“I care for the toilet like I care for my own. I’ll make sure it stays open, clean and fresh 365 days,” she said.
“I was entrusted with the responsibility by Dungun Municipal Council (MPD) to maintain the cleanliness of the toilet six years ago,” she said, adding that she does not only care for the toilet’s indoor environment but also the outdoor. In fact, the plants around the area are regularly fertilised so they stay alive and healthy.
Faridah said she and her husband clean the toilet three times a day to ensure it’s comfortable enough for visitors.
“I never expect my effort to be recognised but I can’t help but to feel proud with the achievements and recognitions.
“My job is to make sure the toilet is clean, odourless with good lighting and ventilation,” she continued.
There’s also no store-bought air freshener in the toilet. Instead, Faridah uses traditional method to get rid of the bad odour.
“I use pandan leaves and ‘bunga rampai’ to get rid of the smell and those work really well,” she said.
Faridah said the latest achievement made her more determined to ensure the toilet is in its best condition.
“Some poeple look down on my job, but that won’t dampen my spirit to be a dedicated toilet cleaner,” said the beaming Faridah, adding that she takes the positive feedbacks she receives as a motivation for her to work hard.
Meanwhile, MPD secretary Fadli Yusof Zakaria, said a total of 16 public toilets from all over Malaysia were nominated for the award and the Rantau Abang one was the only toilet from the East Coast listed among the five best toilets in the category.
He said the toilets of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Foh San restaurant in Perak, Melaka’s Masjid Cina and Sarawak Merdeka Plaza were also listed.
“The award giving ceremony was concluded by Vietnam’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Ministry Nguyen Ngoc Thien.
“The award is recognition to the MPD as the Local Authority who oversees the toilet and also to all Dungun folk,” he said.
He added that a total of 17 public toilets in the district had been upgraded since 2013 in MPD’s effort to make the toilets the cleanest.
“All the caretakers are from the low-income group, including single mothers. We hope all the other toilets in the district will follow the footsteps of the Rantau Abang one,” he said.