50sen offers fresh start for underprivileged islanders

The Star

a day ago

In Penang, the simple act of paying a small fee to use public toilets is giving some people a second chance at life.
Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has started a programme to help the homeless, elderly and disabled make a living by allowing them to maintain public washrooms and keep the collection, set at a base 50sen per person, as their income.
Altogether, there are 12 public toilets on Penang island being managed by this marginalised community.
Six are maintained by retirees (former MBPP workers), four by the disabled, one by a senior citizen and another by a former homeless individual.
The toilets are at Medan Renong, Padang Kota Lama, Lorong Kulit, Lebuh Cecil, Miami Beach, Padang Brown, Gurney Drive, Jalan Kampung Kolam, Air Itam Market, Batu Lanchang Food Complex, Balik Pulau Market and Shamrock Beach.
MBPP public health and licensing committee alternate chairman Tan Soo Siang said all entry fees would go directly to the underprivileged group as the
initiative aimed to support their livelihood and instil in people the responsibility in caring for public facilities.
Nazri cleaning up the public toilet he cares for in Jalan Kampung Kolam, George Town.
However, the job was not without its own set of difficulties, she said.
'They often face vandalism and poor user behaviour.
'There have been incidents where sinks and taps were broken or stolen, and cases of users dirtying the toilets or littering,' she said.
Tan, however, added that MBPP would step in to carry out major repairs as needed.
Life made meaningful
For Nazri Ismail, 53, the 50sen fee collection for each person using the public toilet provides him dignity, stability and a fresh start.
Once homeless, Nazri now earns a steady income by maintaining the public toilet in Jalan Kampung Kolam near bustling Lebuh Armenian within Penang's Unesco World Heritage Site.
'I used to work as a dispatch rider while my wife was employed at a factory.
'Everything changed when she was diagnosed with cancer.
I quit my job to care for her full-time.
'After she died five years ago, I was left with nothing and ended up sleeping rough in Komtar,' said Nazri.
Santhara cleaning up the public toilet at Medan Renong near the Esplanade. — Photos: LIM BENG TATT and ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
His turning point came in 2023, when he was taken in by the Penang Homeless Transit Centre in Jalan CY Choy.
From there, Nazri was offered a job under MBPP's programme to maintain public washrooms.
'Ever since I started here, I've been earning about RM50 daily on weekdays and up to RM100 on weekends.
'With that, I'm able to rent a room nearby and buy my own meals,' he said.
Nazri's day starts before sunrise. From 6am to 8pm, he keeps the facility spotless for tourists and locals alike.
'It is my job to sweep, mop, scrub and make sure everything stays clean and dry.
'MBPP officers conduct routine inspections, so I always make sure the place is in top condition,' he said.
Nazri is especially happy when express buses carrying tourists stop by. 'That's a little bonus for me.' The 50sen fee to use a public toilet can greatly help the underprivileged.
However, without any official uniform or visible signage explaining MBPP's initiative, Nazri said many visitors were sceptical when asked to pay 50sen.
'Some people question whether we are authorised to collect fees.
'There is a lot of hesitation, especially from those who are not aware of the programme,' he said, adding that there was also no ticketing counter.
'I hope the council can provide some form of attire and signage,' he said.
Nazri added that there were sometimes language barriers with foreign tourists who might not understand the purpose of the payment.
While locals are charged 50sen per entry, foreign visitors are charged RM1.
At Medan Renong Food Complex near the Esplanade,C. Santhara Sagaran, a 70-year-old retiree, has transformed a public toilet into a shining example of pride, care and dedication.
The restroom he oversees is more than just a facility; it reflects his values.
'I treat this place like my own home. Every cubicle, sink and urinal matters to me.
'Visitors should feel as comfortable here as they would in their own homes,' he said.
Santhara took on the job in 2014, shortly after retiring as a cleaner with the city council.
The toilet has 11 cubicles, including one for the disabled, along with several sinks and urinals, all of which he meticulously maintains.
'I make sure everything is clean and working.
'I do small repairs myself. Only when something needs major fixing do I call the city council,' he said when met at his collection room.
Working alongside him is his wife, with whom he shares responsibility for the washroom during the long operating hours of 7am to 3am the next day, as the food complex is active until late night. Tan: Difficulties faced by the community include vandalismand damage to facilities.
'This room is where we spend most of our day.
'We take pride in keeping it neat while we manage the collection,' he added.
On better days, the couple earns between RM100 and RM120 daily, from 50sen per entry and RM1 for shower use.
For Sohaimi Ahmad, 40, who is mute, maintaining the public toilet at bustling Air Itam Market is more than just a job; it is a source of pride and gives him purpose.
Serving thousands of visitors daily, Sohaimi takes his role seriously and is grateful for the opportunity to earn a living while contributing to society.
'This job has taught me that life's challenges can be overcome,' he wrote in his answer during the interview.
'I hope my journey will inspire others not to give up.'
Sohaimi, whose wife is deaf, added: 'I have never stopped proving that I'm capable of working like anyone else.
'Every day, I clean the toilets and make sure supplies are well-stocked.'
The father of four takes pride in his job and expressed his good fortune at having a supervisor who understood him.
Despite communication challenges, Sohaimi feels supported by an empathetic community.
He uses sign language, writes notes or points to signage to communicate.
'I feel deeply satisfied when the toilets are clean and someone thanks me with a smile.
Sohaimi tending to plants at the toilet facility he maintains at Air Itam Market.
'Most people are understanding and respectful when they realise I am mute,' he wrote.
However, Sohaimi admits that the job comes with its own set of challenges, such as major repairs and handling disgruntled visitors.
'I truly hope people with disabilities will be given opportunities.
'We are capable of working. All we need is trust.'
To express his pride, Sohaimi has even gone the extra mile by painting a mural to beautify the facility and make it more welcoming.
Small fee, big impact
Public toilet users not only appreciate the improved cleanliness, but also feel a sense of purpose behind their 50sen contribution.
School teacher Lim Siew Cheng, 58, said she used to avoid public toilets due to poor hygiene. But not anymore.
'I was surprised after stepping into one, having avoided them for a long time.
'It was not only clean and well-ventilated, but you could see the effort put into maintaining it.
'After finding out that my 50sen is not just for convenience, but also helps someone rebuild their life, I am glad to contribute,' she said.
Delivery rider K. Rajendran Nair, 35, who uses public toilets almost daily, said he now saw them as reliable pit stops in his busy schedule.
Visitor Lee Siew Hong, 77, seen outside the washroom facilities located at Air Itam Market.
'Being constantly on the move, I really appreciate clean toilets I can count on.
'There have been times I have walked into toilets that were dirty and poorly maintained.
'Here, the caretakers really put their heart into looking after the place,' he said.
Even tourists unfamiliar with the initiative expressed their appreciation after learning that their small payment supported the livelihoods of the underprivileged.
Software engineer Zhao Wei, 38, from Guangzhou, China, who was visiting Penang with his wife and young daughter, said he was pleasantly surprised with the initiative.
'When I saw how clean the toilets are and heard that the money supports someone's job, I thought, this is meaningful.
'We travel a lot, and many public toilets at tourist spots are poorly maintained.
'The toilet feels safe, clean and worth the fee,' he said.