NINE government buildings and two surau suffered minor damage in the recent earthquakes in Johor.
Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said based on reports from the Segamat District Disaster Management Department, a total of 62 houses also suffered similar damage following the tremors.
“However, assessments by the Public Works Department and local authorities confirmed that all these buildings remain safe for use.
“We are aware of the burden borne by the families whose homes were affected.
“The state government, with support from the Federal Government through the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), has agreed to provide aid to the 62 heads of households who lodged police reports, with each receiving up to RM3,000,” he said during the recent Johor state assembly sitting at Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Kota Iskandar.
Onn Hafiz added that key facilities belonging to KTM Bhd, Johor Water Regulatory Body (Bakaj), Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS) and Ranhill SAJ Sdn Bhd were also inspected.
He said the series of minor earthquakes that struck Segamat and Batu Pahat between Aug 24 and Sept 3 recorded magnitudes ranging from 2.5 to 4.1.
“Although Johor is not a high-risk state, it still faces geological challenges that must be managed strategically and in an integrated manner.
“The state government has implemented phased interventions that include short- , medium- and long-term measures.
“These include activating a 24-hour disaster operations room with the involvement of the Civil Defence Force, the police, firefighters, local authorities, as well as cooperation with other technical agencies,” he added.
Onn Hafiz also said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has approved an allocation of RM3mil to build two additional early tremor detection stations.
Other initiatives included upgrading the six existing seismology stations in Johor and continuing to monitor fault line movements with the integration of modern technology, including artificial intelligence (AI).
On a separate matter, the state assembly identified Johor MCA treasurer Datuk Ng Keng Heng for post of senator.
The motion to recommend Ng for the three-year post was tabled by Onn Hafiz and seconded by Buloh Kasap assemblyman Datuk Zahari Sarip.
“Ng has been actively involved in politics since 1996 through the MCA Kota Kecil Barat Youth wing before being appointed MCA Kota Tinggi division deputy youth chief the same year.
“In 2005, he became the Kota Tinggi MCA division chief and later served as secretary of the Johor MCA liaison committee until 2018.
“He also served as a councillor in the Kota Tinggi District Council from 2001 to 2018, playing an important role in local governance and community welfare,” he said.
Onn Hafiz said the 57-year-old holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management from Open University Malaysia, and a Master’s degree in Safety, Health and Environment from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
