KUALA LUMPUR: Despite being outside the Pacific Ring of Fire, Malaysia is not completely immune to the risk of earthquakes.
Institute of Geology Malaysia president Abd Rasid Jaapar said while Malaysia is not on the collision zone of major tectonic plates, minor tremors have been recorded in recent decades making it crucial to remain vigilant when earthquakes strike neighbouring countries.
He said at present, there is no significant earthquake risk in Peninsular Malaysia.
“However, it would be inaccurate to claim there is no risk at all,” he added.
“The risk is notably higher in Sabah, as it is closer to active seismic zones, where earthquakes are typically triggered by the collision of the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate, as well as movements along local active faults,” he told Bernama.
Historically, Malaysia has experienced strong earthquakes, particularly in Sabah, where magnitudes between 6.0 and 6.3 on the Richter scale were recorded in 1923, 1958, 1976, and 2015.
In Sarawak, the strongest recorded was a 5.3-magnitude earthquake in 1994.
Peninsular Malaysia has also witnessed several earthquakes, with epicentres in Bukit Tinggi (Pahang), Kenyir Dam (Terengganu), Kuala Pilah (Negri Sembilan), as well as Manjung and Temenggor in Perak.
These quakes, ranging in magnitude from 1.6 to 4.6, occurred in 1984, 1985, 1987, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2013.
Malaysian Bumiputera Contractors Association president Datuk Azman Yusoff said over the past decade, nearly all new high-rise buildings in Malaysia have been constructed using earthquake-resistant materials and designs.
He said the government, through the Standards Department, has implemented earthquake-resistant building codes, including the Malaysia National Annex to Eurocode 8.
“Eurocode 8 emphasises key measures like spring isolators, which help buildings detach their foundations from ground movements, enhancing stability for homes, skyscrapers and malls.”
National Disaster Management Agency director-general Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus said the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) remains on high alert and regularly conducts disaster response exercises, particularly in high-risk areas in Sabah.
Malaysian Meteorological Department director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said the department currently operates 80 seismic sensors to monitor and detect earthquake activity.
“So far, we have deployed 83 tsunami sirens in tsunami-prone areas nationwide,” he said.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Centre director Dr Khamarrul Azahari Razak emphasised the need to enhance cross-sectoral disaster preparedness, particularly among rescue agencies and emergency response teams.
“We must also consider evacuation strategies, response coordination and emergency measures, especially in relocating large populations to safer areas.”
