KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 6 — A series of minor earthquakes in Johor has highlighted the low level of public awareness on seismic risks in Malaysia, disaster management expert Raja Segaran Kuppusamy said.

The former head engineer for disaster risk reduction at the United Nations’ International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Iraq said many Malaysians still assume the country is immune to earthquakes, even as shifting tectonic plates alter local geological conditions.

“People don’t believe earthquakes can happen here. They think only of floods, haze and landslides. But when tremors struck Johor, they were shocked. This shows awareness is still very limited,” he told Bernama.

He said that although Malaysia lies outside the Pacific Ring of Fire, it is increasingly affected by the active Sunda plate. Tremors in Johor should be treated as early warning signs, as stronger quakes could trigger landslides, floods, tsunamis and severe damage to roads, bridges and high-rise buildings.

Raja Segaran urged a more holistic approach at state, district and grassroots levels to raise awareness, citing Middle Eastern countries where governments practise ‘communication with communities’ to share early warnings.

Japan and China, he added, have built resilience through decades of experience and close cooperation between authorities and citizens.

He said that natural disasters can’t be avoided, but deaths and damage can be reduced with preparedness, awareness and stronger building standards.

“If we fail to implement prevention, mitigation and preparedness plans now, the risk of bigger disasters such as tsunamis, landslides and stronger quakes will rise in the future,” he noted.

He also stressed the need to integrate seismic considerations into building design, pointing out that many engineers still overlook them on the assumption that Malaysia is safe.

“Thankfully the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) now requires all stakeholders to adopt safety design standards that can protect lives during quakes and tsunamis,” he said.

Johor has experienced at least eight tremors over the past week, including a 4.1 magnitude quake in Segamat on Aug 24 and a 2.9 magnitude tremor near Sri Medan, Parit Sulong, on Sept 3. — Bernama

IPOH: The Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) has guaranteed adequate fish supplies throughout the monsoon season to help stabilise market prices.

Chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil confirmed that proactive measures are in place despite seasonal challenges affecting East Coast fishermen.

LKIM has prepared over 1,000 metric tonnes of fish stock while the private sector maintains nearly 15,000 metric tonnes in reserves.

“These reserves will be released when supplies run low, and we will import certain fish types to meet demand,“ he stated during a press conference after officiating the 2025 Perak Parti Amanah Negara Youth Annual Convention.

LKIM has also signed memorandums of understanding with companies and private industry players to ensure smooth fish marketing chain operations.

“Middlemen remain necessary for business continuity, but we hope they will act responsibly without indiscriminate price increases,“ he added. – Bernama

KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has suspended a construction project after a 22-year-old worker was killed when he was buried by a three-metre landslide while laying pipes on campus yesterday.

In a statement, UMS said it views the incident seriously and had immediately mobilised its Security Division, Department of Development and Maintenance, and Centre for Occupational Safety and Health to assist with the initial response and coordinate with the relevant authorities.

"The university has also contacted the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) Sabah regarding the incident.

"As a precautionary measure, the related project has been halted immediately until investigations are completed. UMS will also conduct a comprehensive safety audit on all ongoing projects."

UMS extended its condolences to the victim's family and assured them that appropriate assistance and support would be provided to them through the contractor involved.

"The safety and well-being of the campus community and all parties involved in projects remain a top priority.

"UMS is committed to strengthening monitoring and compliance with occupational safety and health regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future.

"We also urge all parties to respect the sensitivity of the victim's family and to refrain from making speculation until the official investigation results are announced."

KUALA LUMPUR – Kerajaan perlu membangunkan sistem amaran awal gempa bumi di seluruh negara melalui amaran mudah alih dan siren bagi memperoleh maklumat tepat selain mempercepat tindakan segera demi keselamatan rakyat, demikian tegas Pengerusi Pertubuhan Ikatan Komuniti Selamat, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.

Beliau berkata, negara tidak mungkin bebas sepenuhnya daripada risiko seismik susulan beberapa siri gempa bumi kecil yang berlaku di Johor baru-baru ini termasuk gegaran yang dirasai di beberapa negeri berhampiran.

Lam Thye berkata, walaupun kebiasaannya gegaran di negara ini adalah kecil, ia tetap tidak dapat dijangka dan boleh mengakibatkan kerosakan serta menimbulkan panik sekiranya tidak bersedia.

“Justeru pemantauan lebih kukuh dengan memetakan semula garisan sesar di seluruh negara serta dipantau menggunakan teknologi seismik moden bagi mengesan risiko lebih awal.

“Selain itu, penguatkuasaan kod bangunan tahan gempa serta kerja-kerja pengukuhan pada sekolah, hospital dan infrastruktur awam mesti diutamakan.

“Pada masa yang sama, latihan kesiapsiagaan gempa bumi dan pendidikan keselamatan perlu dijadikan sebahagian daripada daya tahan komuniti di seluruh negara,” katanya dalam satu kenyataan media di sini, hari ini.

Dalam laporan media sebelum ini, beberapa gegaran direkodkan di Segamat pada 24 Ogos lalu iaitu pada jam 6.13 pagi dengan kekuatan 4.1 magnitud, diikuti keesokan harinya pada jam 8.59 pagi dengan bacaan 3.2 magnitud; 7.56 malam, Khamis (2.5) dan 4.24 pagi pada Jumaat (3.4).

Gempa bumi lemah berukuran 2.7 magnitud sekali lagi dikesan di Segamat pada jam 7.29 pagi pada 30 Ogos lalu.

“Dengan kewaspadaan, sistem amaran awal dan infrastruktur yang lebih kukuh, secara tidak langsung ia dapat memastikan rakyat sentiasa dimaklumkan, selamat dan bersedia menghadapi sebarang bencana alam,” katanya. – 7 September, 2025