������Ƶ

Image

Dear Malaysians / ������Ƶians,

A few weeks ago, a powerful earthquake struck Myanmar. Though its epicentre was far from our borders, the tremors were strong enough to cause a building collapse in northern Thailand. This incident is a sobering reminder that earthquakes do not respect borders, and Malaysia is not immune.

1.0 A Memory That Still Shakes Us
Many of us still remember December 26, 2004—the day after Christmas, when a massive magnitude 9.1 earthquake off the coast of Sumatra triggered the Indian Ocean tsunami. Even in Kuala Lumpur, hundreds of kilometres away, people felt the tremors. Water rippled in glasses, buildings swayed (gently), and confusion reigned. That was the first time many Malaysians realised: earthquakes can reach us too.

2.0 Earthquakes in Malaysia: Fact, Not Fiction
Contrary to popular belief, Malaysia has experienced earthquakes:
•    Peninsular Malaysia has felt tremors from distant Sumatran quakes and some sporadic local earthquakes.
•    Sabah experienced a magnitude 6.0 earthquake in Ranau (2015) and another in Lahad Datu (1976).
•    Sarawak has recorded local quakes near Tubau and Miri.
•    Even Kalimantan, our neighbour in Borneo, has seen magnitude-5 events.
We may not sit on the Pacific Ring of Fire, but our proximity to active fault lines in Indonesia and the Philippines puts us at risk.

3.0 Building for the Future: Seismic Design Matters
Until recently, Malaysia did not consider seismic forces in building design. That changed in 2017 with the publication of the Malaysian National Annexe to Eurocode 8, thanks to the efforts of local engineers and international experts.
Yet, resistance remains. Some argue:
•    “There are no earthquakes in Malaysia.”
•    “Seismic design will make buildings too expensive.”
Both arguments are flawed. The real cost lies not in construction, but in lives lost, buildings damaged, and businesses disrupted after a quake.

4.0 What We Must Do Together
For Policymakers:
•    Recognise that earthquake risk is a socioeconomic issue.
•    Support laws that mandate seismic design in vulnerable areas.
For Engineers:
•    Embrace seismic design as a core competency.
•    Design buildings to withstand shaking without collapsing, not to be earthquake-proof.
For the Public:
•    Advocate for safer buildings in your communities.

5.0 A Global Perspective
Countries like Australia, China, Singapore, Korea, and the UK—all in low-to-moderate seismic zones- have already adopted seismic design practices. It is time Malaysia joins them in building a safer future.

Let’s not wait for tragedy to strike before we act. Earthquake risk in Malaysia is not a myth. It’s a reality we must face together.

Stay safe, stay prepared.

Sincerely,
Dr Daniel Looi – a key IEM engineer who contributed to the first Malaysian seismic design standards for building structures.

Associate Professor Dr Daniel Looi Ting Wee
Faculty of Engineering and Technology
Email: @email