THE Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) will make it mandatory for all businesses to achieve BMW toilets (bersih, menawan, wangi; or clean, attractive and fragrant) as a prerequisite for renewing their operating licences beginning next year.
State Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman H’ng Mooi Lye announced that both local authorities are tasked with this initiative to improve the cleanliness of toilets.
“This is part of the state’s commitment to provide locals and foreign tourists with clean toilets and a community-friendly environment.
“We will give them (the businesses or premises owners) sufficient time to improve their toilet facilities.
“Of course, when toilets are clean, Penang will become even more attractive as a tourist destination,” he told reporters after visiting a refurbished toilet in Gurney Drive in conjunction with World Toilet Day today.
H’ng said the guidelines, introduced in March this year, were approved by the state executive council on Sept 18.
“The notice regarding the usage of these guidelines will be issued this month, with enforcement beginning next year,” he said.
Asked about the level of cleanliness of toilets in Penang, H’ng mentioned that most of them fall between grades 3 and 4. These include toilets at places of worship, tourist spots, restaurants, hotels, and shopping malls.
“One shopping mall in Seberang Jaya stands out with a grade 5 toilet, earning the title as the cleanest in the country,” he said.
H’ng also added that a state-level competition for the best toilet in Penang would take place from March 1 to Sept 30 next year, further promoting the importance of hygiene and cleanliness.
Among those present during the event were state Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi, Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng, and Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk A. Rajendran.
Story and pix by Edmund Lee