ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor government is closely monitoring gas pipelines and other critical facilities following tremors felt in Segamat and nearby surrounding areas.
State works, transportation, infrastructure and communication committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh said the checks were necessary as underground pipelines were a public concern.
“However, we have not received any reports of damage or movement at this point,” he said in a press conference after witnessing the JCB Pothole Pro maintenance machine at Kota Iskandar here on Thursday (Aug 28).
Fazli said inspections were also carried out on roads, bridges, dams and other government assets under his portfolio, with no major damage detected.
“So far, there is no serious damage. Some minor cracks were detected but they do not pose structural risks,” he said.
He added that infrastructure under the Public Works Department (JKR), Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID) and related agencies was being closely monitored.
“For schools, hospitals and other federal facilities, we are waiting for reports from the respective agencies.
“We are awaiting a full report from the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) and other technical agencies to better understand the tremors impact on the ground structure,” he said.
Fazli added that once the reports were in, it would then be forwarded to the Johor Disaster Management Committee before deciding on further action.
A mild earthquake measuring 3.2 on the Richter scale that struck Segamat on Wednesday (Aug 27) has raised fresh attention on the region’s seismic vulnerabilities.
The tremor was detected at 8.59am, with its epicentre located about 18km from the town, said the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).
In a statement earlier, The Department of Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia (JMG) said the quake likely stemmed from shallow crustal movement linked to the Mersing fault line.
"Although Peninsular Malaysia sits on a relatively stable continental plate, it remains indirectly influenced by active tectonic zones, particularly the Sunda Subduction Zone off western Sumatra. Stress from these zones can reactivate dormant faults, resulting in small to moderate quakes.
“This event highlights the potential reactivation of existing fault lines within Peninsular Malaysia,” it said, adding that the shallow depth of less than 10km suggested crustal activity rather than deeper subduction forces.
"Historical records show that Malaysia has experienced tremors in areas such as Bukit Tinggi, Kenyir, Kuala Pilah, and Perak’s Manjung–Temenggor, underscoring the country’s low but recurring seismic risk.
Authorities have pledged to intensify seismic monitoring and mapping of fault lines while developing early warning systems to improve community preparedness.
"The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES), together with JMG and MetMalaysia, would also enhance scientific assessments of potential risk zones.
“These measures are part of a proactive approach to safeguard public safety, protect infrastructure, and ensure resilient development in earthquake-prone areas,” it added.
