"Housekeeping: A Reflection on Order and Respect"
Posted: 2006
I arrived at my “Studio,” annexed to the back of the Museum Gallery at USM, and for lack of better things to do, decided to do some house cleaning in the general area.
I have a little problem with messy environments—especially when it takes just a little effort to make the place more presentable. It's hard to accept the general attitude of letting the environment go to hell, with litter strewn about and materials discarded haphazardly after use.
This is an institution that champions science and environmental stewardship, yet that ideal is rarely reflected in the hidden corners and backyards of some campus buildings. I wonder—what would Mr. Brown and others like him, who originally designed and set up this whole facility in its early days, think if they saw it now?
Of course, this isn’t the only place suffering from neglect. All over Penang Island, if one takes a walk off the beaten path, one can easily slip into what I call “garbage depression.” It's sad that we humans, in our drive to create, so often generate waste without assuming responsibility for it. We build and beautify, but then leave the mess for someone else to clean up. Often, reusable materials end up tossed away with the trash—another example of our blind consumption.
On Instilling Responsibility in Education
In education, it's imperative that the value of picking up after oneself is instilled from the very beginning. The classroom, studio, or laboratory should be meticulously clean before students enter. This should be pointed out explicitly so that students know exactly how they are expected to leave it at the end of the day.
Just as parents moan and groan at their children about tidying up, so too should teachers and employers insist that every individual take responsibility for their working environment. It’s more than just cleanliness—it’s the first principle of Safety at Work.
Lessons from Japan
During my three years living in Japan, I learned an important lesson: the Japanese are deeply mindful about the presentation and orderliness of their workspaces. Except for a few exceptions who seem to thrive in chaos, the general public frowns upon messiness.
Perhaps this is due to the scarcity of land, which fosters a deep respect for space. In Japan, land use is highly efficient, and every inch is treated with consideration. A clean, well-ordered environment reflects a mind of similar nature.
Messy space, messy mind.
From Construction Sites to Daily Life
When I worked as a Health and Safety Officer for three different companies at the Petronas Refinery Project—first in Kerteh, Terengganu, and later in Gebeng, Pahang—I practiced and enforced this very principle: Good Housekeeping.
It became a priority for every project I was involved in. And it worked. Most workers saw the wisdom behind it. The result? No accidents. Smooth workflow. A culture of respect for the working environment.
Good housekeeping is often overlooked, but it's no different than keeping one's own home in order. Clutter not only invites accidents—it can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, and leads to the deterioration of good materials due to exposure to the elements.
Moreover, orderly spaces ensure proper flow of traffic and safe access and egress in times of emergency. These are basic but vital considerations often ignored.
In the End: Cleanliness is Still Godliness
Whether at work, in education, or simply in life—cleanliness remains next to godliness. It's not just about hygiene. It's about mindfulness, responsibility, and respect. It's about how we relate to the world around us, how we treat the spaces we occupy, and how we reflect what’s within us through what’s around us.
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