KUALA LUMPUR: Food operators called on authorities to educate both the public and restaurants owners on the importance of maintaining good hygiene following the compulsory A category for cleanliness at eateries' restrooms.

Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma) president Datuk Jawahar Ali Taib Khan said maintaining cleanliness of not only toilets, but the overall premises, was important as far as food and beverage operators were concerned.

"I have personally stressed the importance to my members several times and there is no compromise on that.

"The Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming's intentions are good but we need to educate both the public and also F&B (food and beverage) operators," he told the New Straits Times today.

Jawahar, however, said the public should also play their role in being responsible customers when using restaurants' facilities.

"The customers should be responsible and use the restroom accordingly such as flushing the toilet after using.

"I often hear my members complaining that the pipe head; hand wash compartment or container and even toilet fresheners are missing and this incident has portrayed the ugly side of the customers.

"Some customers even throw their rubbish and sanitary pad inside the toilets or inside the toilet bowl."

Jawahar said the ministry can also create awareness on hygiene to be public by spreading pamphlets.

"The ministry can also issue a stern warning to those who do not comply and action taken against those who refuse to maintain cleanliness.

"Hopefully, every ministry will engage with stakeholders first before making a decision," he said.

Sahabat Tomyam Prihatin Semalaysia Association adviser Che Mamat Chemod said the move would encourage both customers and F&B operators to be more responsible in keeping up cleanliness.

Che Mamat said the move would not be a challenge to operators but instead to provide a clean premises for the public.

"We welcome the move by the ministry as the directive is a good way to promote hygiene among the public and operators.

"It is a good move by the government to ensure operators and restaurants continue being responsible and not just creating awareness on the matter.

"Overall, the washrooms at the restaurants in the country have received A category or good but we need to continue maintaining it," he said when contacted.

On Friday, Nga announced that food and beverage premises in municipalities nationwide may fail to get their business licences renewed next year if their toilets do not achieve the 'A' certification standard set by the Local Government Development Ministry.

Nga said this was in line with the move to improve the country's public toilets to be 'BMW' (bersih (clean), Menawan (attractive), Wangi (fragrant).

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/02/876482/educate-public-restaurant-operators-good-toilet-hygiene