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- Within these areas, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said developers must ensure that their development applications comply with the existing standards set by the Department of Standards Malaysia.
KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 23): Malaysia has identified 14 earthquake 'hotspots' nationwide, with developers now required to ensure that new buildings in those areas comply with seismic-resistant design standards, said acting Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. (pictured)
The hotspots, identified through a study by the ministry, include 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 Negeri Sembilan; Kenyir in Terengganu; Manjung and Temenggor in Perak; as well as Mersing, Segamat and Batu Pahat in Johor.
Within these areas, Johari said developers must ensure that their development applications comply with the existing standards set by the Department of Standards Malaysia.
“We have the Malaysia National Annex to Eurocode 8: Design of Structures for Earthquake Resistance—Part 1: General Rules, Seismic Actions and Rules for Buildings.
"This ensures that appropriate seismic design, hazard levels and engineering mitigation are incorporated for developments in risk-prone areas,” he said during the oral question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday.
He was responding to a supplementary question from Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who had asked whether the government had updated its seismic data in light of recent tremors and climate-related changes, and if local buildings were designed to withstand earthquakes.
For areas outside the mapped seismic zones, Johari said the requirements would not apply.
“We are currently compiling geospatial data to assist local authorities in assessing and approving development projects,” he added.
In late August, a rare series of earthquakes in the southern state of Johor prompted calls by experts to overhaul national building standards.
According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), seven tremors were recorded between August 24 and 31, including a magnitude 4.1 quake centred near Segamat.
Weaker tremors were also felt in nearby districts such as Yong Peng, Kluang and Batu Pahat, causing minor structural damage and ground cracks in several areas.
Johari said that while earthquakes remain impossible to predict, the government is committed to strengthening the country’s earthquake monitoring and tsunami early warning systems under the Malaysian National Tsunami Early Warning System (SAATNM).
He noted that earthquake information and early tsunami warnings are issued within eight minutes of detection and disseminated to relevant agencies and the public.
“MetMalaysia is also upgrading the system to shorten the warning issuance time to six minutes by 2026,” he said.
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