THE Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has officially unveiled newly upgraded public toilets equipped with smart features at the Cecil Street Market, marking the first such initiative under MBPP’s jurisdiction.
This pilot project represents a significant step toward supporting Penang’s transformation into a smart city, aligning closely with the state government’s Penang2030 vision.
State Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye said the initiative reflects MBPP’s strong commitment to enhancing urban management and public service delivery under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“This initiative aligns with Penang’s development goals, which prioritise digitalisation and technological innovation to empower communities and improve the quality of life.
“It also complements the Federal Government’s BMW (Bersih, Menawan, Wangi – Clean, Attractive, Fragrant) toilet concept.
“The government has allocated around RM800 million to upgrade more than 10,000 toilets nationwide,” H’ng said during the launch ceremony on June 8.
He further emphasised that toilet hygiene is a vital component of public health and well-being, and MBPP remains committed to ensuring cleanliness, safety, and the integration of smart technologies in public facilities.
Prior to the upgrade, the market’s toilet facilities were limited to two cubicles each for men and women, along with one accessible cubicle for persons with disabilities (PWD).
The newly upgraded facility now offers four cubicles for men, six for women, one mother-and-baby room, and a storeroom. The project, which took five months to complete, cost a total of RM462,050.
Smart features installed include solar panels, a rainwater harvesting system, motion and fitting sensors, a people counter, occupant indicator lights, digital data displays, an air quality monitor, a panic alarm system, automated doors, and natural lighting elements.
Two more public toilets, in Jelutong and Farlim, are slated for similar upgrades this year, with an estimated combined cost of RM500,000.
The launch was also attended by Tanjong MP Lim Hui Ying, Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng, and MBPP mayor Datuk A. Rajendran.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Law Suun Ting