Johor Gov't Allocates Aid To 62 Households Affected By Segamat Quakes

ISKANDAR PUTERI, Sept 11 (Bernama) -- The Johor government will provide aid to 62 heads of household in Segamat affected by the recent series of minor earthquakes, with a maximum allocation of RM3,000 per family.

Johor Menteri Besar, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, said the assistance will be delivered with the support of the Federal government through the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA).

He said that according to a report from the Segamat District Disaster Management Committee (JPBD), a total of 62 homes, two surau, and nine government premises were reported to have sustained damage.

“Immediately after the first tremor on Aug 24, the Segamat District Officer mobilised all agencies, village heads, and community leaders to conduct an immediate assessment. The damage was further evaluated through a special meeting of the JPBD.

“The state government is aware that the heaviest burden is borne by the families whose homes have been damaged,” he said during the state legislative assembly sitting, in response to eight assemblymen’s questions regarding the disaster.

He said a technical assessment by the Public Works Department and local authorities confirmed all these government buildings remain safe for use.

He added that essential facilities, including those operated by Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Petronas, Ranhill SAJ, and the Johor Water Regulatory Body, were also inspected, confirming that all systems and basic utilities were in good condition and functioning normally.

A series of minor earthquakes began in Segamat and Batu Pahat with a magnitude 4.1 tremor on Aug 24, which was followed by seven aftershocks of between magnitude 2.5 and 3.4 from Aug 27 until Sept 3. 

Onn Hafiz said the state government is focusing on several short-term key initiatives, such as activating a 24-hour disaster operations room with security and technical agencies, disseminating public awareness announcements, developing standard operating procedures and implementing a Community-Based Disaster Risk Management programme, which will also be extended to schools and communities by the end of October.

“Six existing seismology stations in Johor will be upgraded and two additional stations will be constructed, following the RM3 million funding approved by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi,” he said. 

For the long term, Onn Hafiz stated the government will strengthen monitoring through ongoing studies of fault lines and implement earthquake-resistant building standards for all new developments.

He further confirmed that seismic risk mapping is being continuously updated through observations of fault movements, integrated with modern technology, including artificial intelligence (AI).

-- BERNAMA