"CLEAN PUBLIC TOILET" CAMPAIGN

Mr Chew Heng Ching asked the Minister for the Environment whether the "Clean Public Toilet" campaign launched in January 1988 has been effective and what follow-up actions are being taken to ensure our public toilets are kept clean.

The Minister for the Environment (Dr Ahmad Mattar): Mr Speaker, Sir, from the preliminary results of a post-campaign survey being conducted at present, it is observed that public toilets are much cleaner. There is greater acceptance amongst building managements and cleaning contractors of their responsibility to keep public toilets clean and in good working condition. The public is also more conscious now of the need to keep public toilets clean.

A new Code of Practice on Sanitary Facilities and Fittings for Public Toilets has been drawn up and introduced to all architects, engineers, plumbers and developers. It stresses the use of heavy duty quality fittings and materials for public toilets. New toilets and existing ones undergoing renovation are required to comply with the new Code of Practice. Managers of buildings with public toilets will be made to pay closer attention to the daily maintenance and cleaning of their toilets. Members of the public, on the other hand, should cooperate and show more care and concern for the cleanliness of public toilets.

Dirty public toilets are certainly not in keeping with our country's "clean and green" image. We hope that with the cooperation of all concerned, there will come a day when we will no longer need to run a "Clean Public Toilets" campaign.

Mr Chew Heng Ching (Kaki Bukit): Sir, will the Minister pay particular attention to the cleanliness of public toilets in public swimming pools and in recreational areas?

Dr Ahmad Mattar: The answer is yes, Sir.

Dr Koh Lam Son (Telok Blangah): Sir, the Minister has said that the public toilets are now much cleaner. Can I ask him on what evidence does he base his judgment on?

Dr Ahmad Mattar: Mr Speaker, Sir, since 1983 when we first started the "Clean Public Toilets" campaign, the situation has very much improved. But it is not as good as we would like it to be. I will give you an example. In a survey of nearly 18,000 public toilets conducted in Singapore last year, 13% were still found to be unsatisfactory. That is the reason why we have to keep on holding the campaign.

Mr Chiam See Tong (Potong Pasir): Do these public toilets include toilets in coffeeshops?

Dr Ahmad Mattar: It covers all public toilets - in coffeeshops, HDB estates, swimming complexes, restaurants, shopping complexes - all toilets used by the public.