QRAM Aims To Make Clean Restrooms A Malaysian Culture

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- If there is an association that all should consider joining, it has to be the Quality Restrooms Association of Malaysia (QRAM).
So far, the association has opened its doors to 30 companies and 50 individuals to be members.
Formed on Oct 24 this year, the non-governmental organisation aims to make clean restrooms a Malaysian culture through contribution of ideas and awareness campaigns.
Its establishment was the initiative of a group of volunteers led by Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew, who was later made the association's president.
"We want everyone to be civic-minded. When they use the toilet, they must clean it. This will give comfort to the next user," he told Bernama at his office here recently.
"If everyone does this, I believe restrooms in Malaysia will always be clean and and eventually become a culture," he said.
According to the Longman's Contemporary English dictionary, a restroom is defined as "a room with a toilet, in a place such as a restaurant or a cinema".
But to Lau, a quality restroom should be more. It should also be equipped with items like tissue paper, soap, mirrors, sinks, dryer, facilities for the handicapped and a place to change diapers.
He said restrooms could be classified into categories as the ones in the shopping centres would not be the same as those in the supermarkets.
The restrooms in a five-star hotel in a city would also be different from the ones at the rest house, he added.
"The important thing is that the restrooms must be clean and suitable for all including invalids, Muslims and senior citizens.
Lau related how the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) disease was spread by a family from Amoy Gardens, Hong Kong, who had contracted the disease from their visit to China.
He said that an imperfect sewerage system could cause the spread of the disease to neighbouring areas.
"This is a good example how a disease can spread from the use of a toilet," he added.
The SARS epidemic claimed 296 lives out of 1,755 reported cases in Asia.
Lau urged Malaysians to emulate Japan and South Korea, where almost all their restrooms were categorised as quality restrooms.
On the status of restrooms in Malaysia, he said some had achieved quality status such as those at the PLUS rest-and-recreational areas; five-star hotels, Suria KLCC, Alamanda, 1 Utama and the KL International Airport in Sepang.
"However, there are still many restrooms that need upgrading, particularly at petrol kiosks, food courts, public areas and schools.
"There are students who delay their answering the call of nature because the restrooms are dirty and smelly. Wouldn't this lead to some sickness later on?"
As such, he said, the QRAM was cooperating with the Education Ministry to assist students towards making restrooms a clean and safe place.
"On the average, each person uses the restroom eight times a day. This shows just how important the restroom is."