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Saturday December 23, 2006

Thumbs up for automatic toilets

By CHOW HOW BAN

FINALLY, Kuala Lumpur has automatic toilets like those in other major cities in the world.

Pedestrians looking at the high-tech public toilet after its launch in Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, on Dec 19. – Reuterspic
Since the opening of two of the 12 units on Wednesday, many users have given their thumbs up to the new facilities. However, many voiced their fears that the top-notch facility would be vandalised like other public amenities in the city.

Mohd Fadlee Yusuff, 39, who works as a chef in Bukit Bintang, was among the first to use the comfortable and fully-automated toilet located in front of a McDonald’s outlet in Jalan Bukit Bintang.

“It has class,” he announced. “Finding it air-conditioned was a nice surprise. The toilet also flushes for you when you’re done while the taps turns on automatically when put your hands under it.

“I think such a sophisticated toilet will be able to educate city folk to be more disciplined about hygiene and cleanliness,” he said.

Mohd Fadlee said that although the cost of the toilets was high, the facility would benefit in the long run.

Angeline Chen, 30, who works in Sungei Wang Plaza, described the toilet as convenient.

Mohd Fadlee ... pleased to find that the toilet flushes by itself
“I don’t understand why these toilets are built in this area as public toilets can be found in the surrounding shopping malls. But without doubt, it is comfortable to use,” she said.

Noor Hazme Jasmin, 24, a tourist officer at the City Hall KL Information Kiosk in the area, said the toilet was clean and well equipped.

“Since this is a new facility, I am worried that irresponsible people will vandalise it. The vandalism rate is quite high in Kuala Lumpur,” she said.

The toilet has space for diaper changing and seats for waiting children as well as handicapped-friendly features. There is even an emergency button inside the toilet in case something happens to the user.

The units, costing RM400,000 each, are made up of two sections, giving users the choice of using a squatting bowl or a sitting pan.

Noor Hazme ... is worried that the new toilets will be vandalised
It costs 20 sen to use the toilet.

The toilets were launched by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Dec 19.

The remaining 10 units will be located in and near Wisma Denmark, Shahzan Tower, Conlay Square, Jalan Ampang, Medan Pasar, Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Tun H.S. Lee, Central Market, Sogo and Jalan Raja Laut.

A total of 23 public toilets, including the 12 automatic toilets and other conventional toilets, have been planned in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia Year 2007.

The conventional toilets are at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, Jalan Ipoh, Jalan Raja Alang, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Raja Laut, Dataran Merdeka, Jalan Masjid India, Jalan Petaling, National Mosque, Jalan Bellamy and Jalan Yew.

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