Following yesterday’s 4.1-magnitude earthquake in Segamat, Johor, a cross-party parliamentary group has urged the government to increase funding for geological disaster prevention.
The group, chaired by PKR’s Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan, said that current disaster prevention efforts focus heavily on floods, but must also include earthquakes, tsunamis, and landslides.
In a statement, the group said funds should be directed toward targeted research and studies on seismic risks and potential new geological threats. They also urged the government to involve MPs’ service centres in community disaster preparedness programmes while learning from international best practices.
“We urgently need more funding, technology exchanges with other nations, and fresh approaches to address emerging risks and threats,” the statement said.
The group’s vice-chairman is PAS’s Jerantut MP Khairil Nizam Khirudin, while members include PH’s Segamat MP R Yuneswaran, Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan, and Miri MP Chiew Choon Man.
According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department, the earthquake occurred at 6.13am yesterday, 5km west of Segamat at a depth of 10km. Tremors were also felt in Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, and southern Pahang.
No casualties were reported, though some Segamat residents said their homes sustained minor damage.
Johor housing and local government committee chairman Jafni Shukor said the state government is considering introducing a disaster early warning system under its smart city plan, enabling residents to receive alerts on their smartphones, similar to systems used in Japan and Korea.
Meanwhile, the Johor Mineral and Geoscience Department said the quake showed that tectonic stress still exists beneath Peninsular Malaysia and can be released without warning. Its director, Noorazhar Ngatimin, confirmed the quake’s depth of about 10km indicated it originated from crustal movement, not volcanic or deep-sea subduction.
He added that faultline reactivation is not new, with past tremors recorded in Bukit Tinggi, Pahang (2007–2010); Kenyir, Terengganu (1984); Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan (1987); and Manjung–Temenggor, Perak (1990s).
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