KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Space Agency (MySA) is embarking on research initiatives to improve the monitoring and mapping of seismic movements.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang said the move would greatly assist Malaysia with hazard management.
“MySA is undertaking research and development initiatives to determine the effects of ground surface movement resulting from earthquake incidents in Malaysia using remote sensing and interferometric technologies,” he said.
Chang said this in his winding up of debates on the Supply Bill 2026 in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Nov 3).
He said the agency under his ministry is prepared to participate in efforts to update any geospatial and geo-seismic mapping, particularly through the use of satellite imagery and interferometry technology.
“This initiative will help in the identification of active target locations and the monitoring of ground movement, which is crucial for national geo-hazard management,” he said.
In Oct, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii said six states, namely Pahang, Terengganu, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Sabah and Sarawak, have been identified as areas at risk of earthquakes.
Huang said studies conducted by the Mineral and Geoscience Malaysia Department through active fault mapping and the Malaysian Seismotectonic Map found fault zones in these states that are vulnerable to seismic activity.
As such, he said the Malaysian Seismic Hazard Map is currently being updated.
The map was developed by the Minerals and Geoscience Department (JMG) in collaboration with the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), local universities and related technical agencies.
