Finding safety: A participant crouching under a table during an earthquake preparedness programme in Segamat, Johor.
IPOH: Although Perak is considered low risk for earthquakes, the state is taking measures to prepare residents for potential occurrences, says the state Mineral and Geoscience Department.
Its director Nizarulikram Abdul Rahim said the department aims to raise awareness of earthquakes through an upcoming Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) programme.
He said records indicate that minor earthquakes were detected in Temenggor in 2013 and 2016 with magnitudes ranging between 3.0 and 4.1, while Manjung recorded a 2.5-magnitude tremor in 2009.
“These are considered low-risk, with a magnitude below 5.0, which most Malaysians wouldn’t even feel,” he said.
Nizarulikram said his team will undergo a training session in Segamat, Johor, on Nov 8 before rolling out the CBDRM programme in Gerik later this year.
Participants will include village heads, community leaders and residents, particularly those from areas close to identified risk zones, such as Temenggor.
Nizarulikram said the sessions will involve simulations to help people understand how earthquakes happen and what to do before, during and after them.
It was reported that 14 locations across Malaysia have been marked as earthquake-risk zones, including Ranau and Lahad Datu in Sabah; Niah in Sarawak; Bukit Tinggi and Janda Baik in Pahang; Batang Kali and Ulu Yam in Selangor; Kuala Pilah in Negri Sembilan; Kenyir in Terengganu as well as Mersing, Segamat and Batu Pahat in Johor.
In Perak, the locations include Manjung and Temenggor.
Johor experienced a series of minor tremors between August and September.
Since Perak has never experienced a major earthquake, Nizarulikram said public awareness and preparedness for such disasters remain low.
“During the 2004 Banda Aceh tsunami, Perak felt the impact.
“Tremors caused minor damage, particularly in Kampar, where sinkholes and ponds appeared due to shifts underground.
“Given that we have never encountered a serious earthquake, many people fail to recognise the importance of being prepared. However, awareness and prompt action are essential.
“We can’t wait until disaster strikes to start learning what to do. Even though the risk is low, our readiness should always be high.
“It is better to be prepared for something that may never happen than to be caught off-guard when it does,” he added.
