Segamat, Batu Pahat To Be Featured In Disaster Zone Map - Ahmad Maslan

SEGAMAT, Sept 8 (Bernama) —  The federal government recommends that Segamat and Batu Pahat districts be included in the Malaysian Seismic Hazard Zone Map to ensure that safety aspects and building designs in the areas take into account seismic factors in the future.

Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan said the update of the hazard zone map will enable all development projects in the areas to be designed using high-quality concrete and steel details according to MS EN 1998 National Annex standard, thus being able to withstand earthquakes.

“The seismic factor requirement in this analysis is calculated based on the location of the site according to the Peak Ground Accelaration (PGA) Hazard Map in the National Annex.

“Based on the existing hazard map, Segamat is not included in the hazard zone. Therefore, building designs here are not required to follow higher seismic standards. However, this earthquake incident shows the need to update the hazard map to include Segamat and Batu Pahat,” he said.

He told reporters after an earthquake briefing by the Segamat Public Works Department (JKR) and visited several affected government buildings here today.

The Department of Mineral and Geoscience (JMG) has produced the Malaysian Seismic Hazard Zone Map as a reference for geodisaster management purposes which provides an overview of the level of seismic tremors that can potentially be experienced in Malaysia, based on zones with different scales.

This information is important in efforts to support infrastructure development planning, increase public awareness of disaster risks, and strengthen the preparedness of relevant agencies in facing possible earthquake incidents.

Ahmad also suggested that seismometers be installed in risk areas to provide early warning if tremors occur on a certain scale.

“This is important so that the people are better prepared. We want every government building and public infrastructure that is built in the future to be truly durable and safe to use,” he said.

So far, there are 80 seismic stations nationwide, including six in Johor, two in Johor Bahru, while one each in Kluang, Batu Pahat, Mersing and Kota Tinggi.

Earlier, he said, 15 government buildings were identified as having suffered minor damage with an estimated repair cost of RM550,000, in addition to 62 private houses and two suraus also being affected.

Johor was reported to have experienced at least eight tremors from August 24 to September 3, including six in Segamat and two in Batu Pahat.

-- BERNAMA