Answering the call of nature in style

Star: SIBU: While you may not get a “royal flush” in the loos of Sibu, you can certainly feel like an “ace” when you use the five-star public restrooms that cost RM100,0000 to RM200,000 each to build.
Many visitors think the folks in Sibu, which aims to be the next city after Kuching and Miri, are a lucky and privileged lot.
They are getting better public toilets than most towns in Sarawak.
Sibu Municipal Council deputy chairman Daniel Ngieng said residents attending public functions at the Sibu Gateway could use the new toilets.
“They are special because they are user- as well as environmental-friendly.
“They are the first to be built under the open-design concept recommended by the council’s toilet committee,” he said.
“As they are not enclosed within a building, there is more fresh air circulation and better ventilation to get rid of foul smells,” he told reporters after inspecting the toilets with council chairman Datuk Seri Tiong Thai King.
Ngieng said the design allowed much natural light to cut down on electricity use.
“We are still looking for an operator to maintain the toilets, for which users will be charged a minimal fee,” he added.
On suggestions that the toilets are costly, he said they were built via open tender.
“If there are people who feel the toilets are unjustifiably expensive, we will be happy if they can introduce us to contractors who can build them at a cheaper price without compromising on quality,” he said.
“The toilets are something Sibu folks can be proud of. The council will look into building more such toilets when we have more funds."