A Malaysian woman has sparked an online discussion after complaining about the dirty, wet and smelly toilets she encountered during a trip to Kelantan, with several people identifying themselves as locals saying they shared her frustration.
The woman, who lives in Cyberjaya, took to Threads to share her experience, claiming she could not find a single toilet that was both clean and dry throughout her visit, including at markets and eateries.
She also complained about an unpleasant smell in many of the toilets, suggesting it could be linked to the borehole water being used.
“There wasn’t a single toilet that was dry and clean, whether at the market or at eateries,” she wrote.
In a follow-up post, she said even toilets at well-known restaurants she visited were dirty, wet and smelled of urine. She also claimed that a branded coffee outlet had displayed a notice stating that there was no water.
Although she praised Kelantan’s food, she questioned whether toilet hygiene was being given enough attention.
Her complaints resonated with several Threads users who identified themselves as Kelantanese, some of whom shared similar experiences.
One commenter said she would rather return home to use the toilet unless it was an emergency, while another said her family generally avoided public toilets except at certain petrol stations they knew were well maintained.
The latter also argued that regular maintenance alone would not solve the problem if users failed to practise proper toilet etiquette.
Another woman, who said she had lived in Kota Bharu for about 10 years, believed the issue extended beyond water supply. She also pointed to litter in public spaces and said people’s cleanliness habits played a role.
However, the woman’s comparison with Cyberjaya did not sit well with everyone. Some questioned why she had chosen to compare the two places, while another commenter said she preferred to focus on enjoying holidays with her children.
In response, the woman explained that Cyberjaya was simply her point of reference because it was where she lived. She added that enjoying a holiday did not mean she could not raise concerns about unhygienic toilets.
She also revealed that her husband was Kelantanese, joking that he had not taken offence at her comments.
Meanwhile, several users suggested using mosque toilets during toilet breaks. While one commenter recommended them as a cleaner alternative, another claimed that some mosque toilets were also poorly maintained.
The woman questioned why customers should have to seek toilets elsewhere, asking whether such suggestions meant eateries were not prioritising cleanliness in their own facilities.
