ISKANDAR PUTERI: The 62 families affected by the recent earthquakes in Segamat will receive aid of up to RM3,000 each, says Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
Onn Hafiz said that according to reports from the Segamat District Disaster Management Department, 62 houses, two suraus, and nine government buildings sustained minor 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.
Thus, 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 have lodged police reports, with a maximum of RM3,000 each,” he said during the state assembly sitting here.
Onn Hafiz added that key facilities belonging to Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB), 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 August 24 and September 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.
As such, 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, firemen, local authorities, as well as cooperation with other technical agencies,” he added.
He said other initiatives include 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).
