Let’s talk toilets—yes, you heard that right! Malaysia is making a bold move to upgrade public restrooms nationwide, and honestly, it’s about time. The government has dropped a whopping RM800 million to transform more than 10,000 public toilets into clean, modern, and dare we say, Instagram-worthy facilities. This massive upgrade was announced during the Toilet of The Year Awards (TOTYA) 2024, a unique event that’s putting our public sanitation on the map.
If you’re wondering, “Wait, we have a toilet award show?”—yes, we do! And it’s fabulous. TOTYA was introduced in 2023 and has quickly become a big deal. This year’s ceremony, hosted by YB Nga Kor Ming, Minister of Housing and Local Government, celebrated some serious restroom glow-ups. Participation in TOTYA has skyrocketed—625 entries this year compared to 345 last year. That’s an 82% jump! Clearly, Malaysians are stepping up their bathroom game.
Here are the winners for each category:
- Petrol station: BHPetrol Ladang Bikam Northbound, Sungkai, Perak.
- Shopping mall: Sunway Carnival Mall, Seberang Jaya, Penang.
- Hotel: Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.
- R&R: R&R Machap Northbound, PLUS Highway, Kluang, Johor.
- F&B: Andaman Seafood Village, Kuala Lumpur.
- PBT: MITC public toilet, Majlis Perbandaran Hang Tuah Jaya, Melaka.
- School: SMK Merbau, Miri, Sarawak.
So, what’s TOTYA all about? It’s a competition with seven categories, ranging from hotels and shopping malls to petrol stations and rest areas. This year, they even added two new categories for local authorities and schools, expanding its impact. Winners didn’t just walk away with bragging rights—they also scored RM20,000 in cash, a shiny trophy, and a certificate. Not too shabby for keeping things fresh and clean!
But the fun didn’t stop there. YB Nga unveiled the Public Toilet Star Rating App (PBTa)—a tool designed to revolutionize how public toilets are audited and maintained. Rolling out in 2025, this app will help local authorities and everyday users rate and maintain high restroom standards. It’s like Yelp for toilets but way cooler.
Of course, these upgrades don’t come cheap. A single public restroom overhaul can cost anywhere from RM300,000 to RM1 million, with shopping malls investing up to RM8 million for multi-toilet projects. But thanks to TOTYA, private sponsors have stepped in to share the load, proving that even toilets can benefit from teamwork.
The progress is already impressive. A total of 753 public toilets have been upgraded to meet the Clean, Attractive, and Fragrant (BMW) standard, with 16 stepping up to become Smart Toilets (BMW-i). Yes, Smart Toilets! Who knew bathroom breaks could feel so fancy?
Some of the standout projects include two Smart Toilets being built at Jalan Alor and Jalan Petaling in Kuala Lumpur, courtesy of DBKL. Putrajaya isn’t missing out either, with upgrades planned for Dataran Masjid and Anjung Flora. These facilities are shaping up to be next-level rest stops, and TOTYA is giving them the spotlight they deserve.
During the event, YB Nga summed it up perfectly: “Together, we can ensure that every public toilet in Malaysia meets the BMW standard, reflecting our nation’s commitment to cleanliness and public well-being.” Preach, YB Nga.
So, whether you’re a road-tripper, a shopaholic, or just someone who appreciates a good bathroom (we all do!), TOTYA is making sure your restroom experience gets an upgrade. This initiative is part of the Malaysia MADANI vision, proving that even toilets can symbolize progress.
Let’s face it, folks—when your public toilets are this clean and high-tech, you’re doing something right. Malaysia is setting a new standard, one loo at a time.
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