TOILET INSPECTION: Lee (left) inspecting a public toilet in Miri Stadium.
MIRI: Good designs of public amenities like toilets should be encouraged to ensure that such facilities are long lasting, easy to maintain, and provide great convenience to the users.
Assistant Minister of Communication Datuk Lee Kim Shin made this comment yesterday when he went with personnel from the Ministry of Social Development and Urbanisation to the Miri Stadium as its men’s toilet had gained a notorious reputation.
Recently, some improvements had been implemented, including replacing missing or broken doors with new ones.
However, Lee noticed some problems areas – the doors were hinged on two screws instead of four; there were no hooks for users to hang their pants, coats, or bags; lack of toilet paper; and no water hose.
“These are simple things but it can frustrate users as it inconvenienced them. They could vent their anger by damaging the facility,” Lee cautioned.
He also noted that there was no proper checking system in place, thus the deteriorating state of the toilet went unreported for some time.
“A proper system must be implemented for routine maintenance of toilets after every event at the stadium, which allows for inspection based on a checklist by supervisors,” he said.
Lee, on the other hand, also urged members of the public not to vandalise public amenities as it was built for their convenience.
He also welcomed the press to provide feedback regularly on neglected amenities for prompt action to be taken.