The man behind Malaysia's toilet revolution

Meet Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, Menteri Besar of Terengganu, a Sultanate of Malaysia. All those big words mean he is charged with making Malaysia more attractive to tourists. And he's a hard worker -- this high-level government official conducts spot checks on public toilet facilities personally.

Why? Of all the things he has to worry about in a tourist infrastructure -- transportation, hotel capacity, parking garages -- why toilets?

Because Malaysia has a pretty bad reputation among tourists -- and its own people - for the state of its toilets. As one commenter to an article in the Times Online puts it, "Malaysian public lavs remind me of France in the early 80s. Particularly annoying is that even when you find a "real" loo there's usually no paper and even if there is someone has used the hose on the wall instead and now the cubicle looks like a shower - water everywhere!" The author of the Times Online article agrees that while Malaysia has much to be proud of, its toilets are "execrable."

If a big shot government official is himself inspecting toilets, then these Malaysian horror stories may be no exaggeration. And Idris Jusoh's anal behavior is part of what has been dubbed a "toilet revolution" in that country. Other parts of this revolution include the fact that public toilets are to be upgraded to "high tech" models and, amazingly, there is now a college course available: How to Keep Public Restrooms Clean!

This course deals with design, maintenance and hygiene -- the essentials of anything toilet-related. Classes will start in the next three years. "Mom, Dad, I've decided to major in toilets!" Time was when I would find that hilarious -- however, now that I'm working in the lumber and hardware business, I have come to appreciate just how involved toilet design, plumbing, maintenance, repair, and cleanliness really is. Doubtless the Malaysian course will have heavy emphasis on plumbing theory and practice, as well as engineering. But chemistry, biology, and sociology will also play their part.

The Malaysian toilet revolution illustrates some of the difficulties associated with changing cultural mores (from the Times Online: "the transition from the traditional Asian squat toilet to Western-style seats"). It also highlights the importance of good public toilet facilities to keep society running smoothly. I'm sure everyone has, at some point, been inside a toilet that has made you frown, retch, or flee in horror. No one likes to walk into a feces-ridden cubicle and find no toilet paper (or, worse, no dispenser at all); and I'm sure that most people would prefer to sit on a seat than on the cold porcelain bowl itself. If this revolution is about fixing all that's wrong with Malaysia's public toilets, then I'm all for it. As Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said last year, "Good, clean toilets are associated with good health, good manners, good upbringing, good housekeeping and civilization. That is why the Government feels this must be a national effort."

And what an effort. Even as the revolution gains strength, Idris Jusoh will continue to carry out spot checks. "I am not going to rest on my laurels, hoping that the situation is all okay on the ground." Well, Mr. Idris Jusoh, thanks to you, we can hope that the one thing not on the ground in your public toilets will be the restroom users' poop!


Malaysia cleric: Women should wear chastity belts !

Women should wear chastity belts to prevent rape, incest and other sex crimes, a prominent Islamic cleric in northern Malaysia was quoted as saying Friday.

Abu Hassan Din Al-Hafiz, speaking in the northern state of Terengganu, said chastity belts could protect women from a growing number of sex crimes in Malaysia, The Star newspaper reported.

"The best way to avert sex perpetrators is to wear protection," Abu Hassan told a crowd of followers. "My intention is not to offend women, but to safeguard them from sex maniacs."

The cleric said sex crimes had increased in the region of late. "We have even come across a number of unusual sex cases where even senior citizens and children are not spared," he said.