KUALA LUMPUR: The minor earthquake felt in Johor and several states today is a reminder that Malaysia must not take seismic risks lightly, said Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.

"While Malaysia is outside the Pacific Ring of Fire, tremors from Sumatra and local faults show that preparedness is essential," he said to the New Straits Times today.

Lee said that public preparedness remained low, as few households have evacuation plans or emergency kits in the event of seismic activity.

The activist said that while public projects generally complied with seismic codes, enforcement for private buildings are inconsistent.

Malaysia also has monitoring systems and trained rescue teams, but public awareness is limited.

"Malaysia's risk is low, but readiness saves lives. Preparedness, at individual, community, and national levels is the best defence against seismic events," Lee said.

Therefore, Lee urged Malaysians to practise "Drop, Cover, Hold On" drills, secure heavy furniture, and keep emergency kits with water, food, torchlights and first aid.

At the community level, he said schools and workplaces should hold evacuation drills and share safety knowledge with neighbours and colleagues.

At the policy level, Lee called for stricter enforcement of earthquake-resistant building codes nationwide, expansion of early warning systems, and intensified public education.

Earlier today, multiple weak earthquakes struck Johor, with tremors felt across several states in the peninsula.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said on a Facebook post that a 4.1-magnitude quake occurred at 6.13am, 5km west of Segamat, Johor, at a depth of 10km.

Later, the agency reported that a 2.8-magnitude quake struck at 9am, with its epicentre located 28km northwest of Kluang, Johor, at coordinates 2.2° North and 103.1° East, and a depth of 10km.

The weak earthquakes occurred in the Mersing Fault Zone and was also detected by Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency. (https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2025/08/1264876/johor-quakes-traced-m...)

MetMalaysia confirmed there was no tsunami threat to Malaysia and assured that the situation was being closely monitored.

"The public need not be concerned, as the earthquakes recorded were of weak magnitude," the agency said.