KULAI: The upcoming Johor Smart City Forum (JSCF) is an important platform for the state to explore disaster detection systems, following the tremor felt in Segamat and Yong Peng on Sunday (Aug 24), says a state exco member.
Housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said the three-day forum will be held from Sept 22 to 24 at the Persada Johor international convention centre.
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“The forum will see the participation of countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore, as well as South Korea for the first time.
“It will allow us to exchange knowledge, form smart partnerships and keep up with global technology trends, including disaster monitoring technology adopted by other countries.
“When state government representatives visited South Korea recently, we learned about their real-time alert systems that send notifications directly to mobile phones in the event of natural disasters and even incidents like accidents and fire,” he said after the forum’s pre-launch at a hotel in Senai on Monday (Aug 25).
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He added that the forum was timely as Johor was looking at ways to enhance its disaster monitoring efforts, especially after the 4.1-magnitude tremor on Sunday.
“Although this was the first officially recorded tremor, residents have claimed that similar incidents occurred several times last year.
“If there is a need, the government will take steps to provide better protection and reassurance to the people,” he said.
Jafni said disaster notification systems had already been adopted in countries such as Japan and South Korea, and Johor would consider introducing similar initiatives under its Smart City agenda.
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Asked about the losses incurred by those affected by the tremor, Jafni said the state government is still collecting data.
The JSCF, in its third edition since 2023, is part of the state’s vision to become a developed state by 2030.
Jafni said the event would gather together more than 40 exhibitors, industry players, academics and government representatives.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department reported two earthquakes in Segamat and Yong Peng on Sunday morning.
The first incident, measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale, struck Segamat at 6.13am, and another 2.8-magnitude earthquake was detected in Yong Peng at around 9am.
The tremor was reportedly felt in several parts of Johor as well as in Negri Sembilan, Melaka and southern Pahang. No casualties or property damage were reported.
