KUALA LUMPUR: The 'Toilet Of The Year 2023' award, held for the first time, aims to transform public toilets in the country to be clean, attractive and fragrant as well as to enhance the country's image, especially among foreign tourists.

Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming said this initiative, which was his own idea, is part of preparations for Visit Malaysia Year 2025.

"From this year, the Local Government Development Ministry (KPKT) has taken steps to change the public's perception of public toilet cleanliness in the country.

"This will be done by improving management and comfort, which was previously unsatisfactory, to BMW ('bersih, menawan, wangi') - standard public toilets.

"The Toilet of The Year Award is also very important because, through this initiative, BMW-standard public toilets can be further promoted, especially by the private sector," he said when officiating the awards night here today.

Later, at a press conference, Nga said the global market value of the toilet equipment industry is RM80 billion, and it is expected to grow by 7.6 per cent annually.

"My vision is not only to ensure that the country's public toilets are world-class, but this initiative is also aimed at developing the toilet equipment industry. Just like Korea has COWAY and Japan has Toto, we hope that Malaysia will one day produce world-class brands in this industry.

"This industry is rapidly growing due to the global urbanisation trend, which introduces 'smart home' concepts that include 'smart toilets,' as well as increased awareness of toilet hygiene," he said.

To encourage participation next year, the awards will be expanded to seven categories, compared to the current five categories, and the cash prize will be increased to RM20,000 from RM10,000 this year.

"This year, we received encouraging participation, with a total of 345 entries competing in five categories.

"They include hotels, shopping centres, highway rest and recreational (RnR) areas, petrol stations and restaurants... next year, we will open up the competition to include schools and local authorities as well.

"The selection of winners is by an independent panel of judges from the Quality Restroom Association Malaysia and representatives from Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry, while KPKT only acts as the organiser and is not involved in the winner selection process," he added.

At the event last night, the winners were The George, Penang (hotel category) Toppen Shopping Mall, Johor Bahru (shopping centre), Elmina South-Bound (RnR), Petron Senai, Johor (petrol station) and Cawan Mu Ipoh, Perak for the restaurant category.

-- BERNAMA