ISKANDAR PUTERI, Sept 11 — The federal government has approved an allocation of RM3 million to build two more weak-motion seismology stations in Johor to strengthen the state’s earthquake monitoring system.
Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the new stations would complement the six existing ones, which will be upgraded to improve early tremor detection capabilities in high-risk areas.
He said the initiative is part of the state government’s medium-term efforts, in collaboration with the Minerals and Geosciences Department (JMG), the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), and the Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), to enhance scientific monitoring and analysis in the affected zones.
“The state government extends its appreciation to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for approving this RM3 million allocation,” he said at the Johor State Legislative Assembly sitting here today.
Onn Hafiz said the Johor JMG is conducting land and building assessments in earthquake epicentres to identify risks more accurately and ensure residents’ safety.
Several minor earthquakes were recorded in Segamat and Batu Pahat from August 24 with a magnitude of 4.1, followed by seven aftershocks between August 27 and September 3, measuring between 2.5 and 3.4 in magnitude.
Meanwhile, Onn Hafiz said the Johor government will boost disaster preparedness with continuous studies on faultlines and earthquake impacts by the JMG, MetMalaysia and public universities, with findings to be presented to the Johor State Disaster Management Committee.
“All new developments must also take into account the Malaysia National Annexe to Eurocode 8 standards to ensure earthquake-resistant structures,” he said.
He added that vulnerability assessments of existing critical infrastructure, such as hospitals, dams, data centres and strategic facilities, would be performed.
Onn Hafiz said guidelines for the safety of buildings and strategic infrastructure in high-risk areas are being drawn up, while seismic risk mapping would be continuously updated using fault movement data and modern technologies, including artificial intelligence.
