Design of toilets merits serious discussion

NST: PETALING JAYA: Gone are the days when toilets were just toilets. Now, they have morphed into restrooms used for a variety of purposes.
Participants at a half-day public colloquium organised by the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) yesterday were told that toilet design was not an exact science, but has evolved to suit the changing needs of society.
Fong Tian Yong, adviser to the Housing and Local Government Ministry, said the toilet revolution began in Korea in order to upgrade the country's toilet facilities in preparation for hosting the 1988 Olympics and the 2002 World Cup.
Similarly, he said, China is now investing in toilets in preparation for next year's Beijing Olympics.
As far as design issues were concerned, Fong said toilets in the West were usually dry while the ones in Malaysia were always wet and had smaller space.
"Equipment-wise, toilets in Malaysia are not user-friendly, with no hooks to hang bags and unsuitable piping for body cleansing. There is also weak enforcement and no uniformity and method in toilet management."
City Hall Drainage and River Management Department director Hooi Yoke Meng said toilet designs should take into account the culture, behaviour and social habits of users.
He said Muslims need water for cleaning the body after using the washroom and airport toilets needed to be bigger as people bring in a lot things, including their suitcases and trolley.
Toilet doors for the disabled should be sliding for easy accessibility. Women's needs include facilities for breast-feeding and changing diapers.