AKIL YUNUS The Star 2 Mar 16;
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Meteorological Department has confirmed that there is no threat of a tsunami hitting Malaysia, after a 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck off the west of Sumatra Wednesday evening.
A spokesman for the Department said Malaysia was not under immediate threat as it was mostly shielded by the island of Sumatra.
"There is a likelihood of light tremors between the shores of Selangor and Johor," he said.
Indonesia issued a tsunami warning after the massive and shallow earthquake struck off the west coast of Sumatra at 8.49pm on Wednesday.
The earthquake's epicentre was 808km southwest of Padang and 10km deep, according to the US Geological Survey.
Sumatra quake: No tsunami threat to Malaysia
NST ONLINE New Straits Times 2 Mar 16;
KUALA LUMPUR: There is no tsunami threat to Malaysia following a 7.9-magnitude earthquake which struck Sumatra this evening.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department, in a statement tonight, said the 8.49pm (local time) quake will not result in a tsunami in Malaysia despite tremors felt in parts of Selangor and Johor.
Kota Baru, Kelantan was also reportedly affected by tremors.
Following the quake, Indonesia issued a tsunami warning for West Sumatra, North Sumatra and Aceh.
The quake’s epicentre was 808 km (502 miles) southwest of Padang, US Geological Survey (USGS) said. It was 10 km (six miles) deep.
USGS had originally put the magnitude at 8.2, and then 8.1, before lowering it to 7.9. Australia had also initially issued a tsunami warning for Cocos Island and Christmas Island while it monitored developments in Australian Coast, including Perth.
“Evacuation was not required on the islands, however people were advised to get out of waters,” said Australia's Bureau of Meteorology.
It said this was due to the risks of dangerous waves and currents.
Johor, Selangor residents shaken by Sumatra quake
The Star 3 Mar 16;
JOHOR BARU: Residents panicked when tremors were felt at their condominium here Wednesday night following an earthquake in West Sumatra, Indonesia.
Johor Baru Fire and Rescue operations commander Rohaizat Hamdan said a five fire-fighters were sent to the 19-storey building in Taman Bukit Aliff, Tampoi, after a resident notified the station of tremors at 9.09pm.
He said the fire fighters felt the tremors after they arrived there and quickly ordered all residents to assemble in an open space outside the building.
"The tremors were felt from the 11th floor upwards, and we are still conducting checks at the building," he said, adding that the residents would be allowed into their homes after the situation was considered safe.
The tremors were triggered by a strong earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale in southwest Sumatra at 8.49pm.
In Selangor, the Fire and Rescue Department received three distress calls over tremors.
Selangor Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations Mohd Sani Harul said the first call came at 8.54pm from a resident of the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) flats in Section 7, Petaling Jaya.
He said the second call was received 15 minutes later from a resident of Block A, Section 26/38, Kampung Baru Hicom, Shah Alam.
"The third call was received a minute after that, from the Tiara Park Home area in Taman Bukit Ria, Kajang," he said in a statement here tonight.
In Kota Baru, residents of apartments at the 23-storey Pelangi Mall also rushed out of their homes after experiencing tremors.
Kota Baharu Fire and Rescue head of operations Senior Fire Officer II Ismail Mohd Taib said checks by his men found no one trapped in the building and all returned to their homes after the all clear was given. - Bernama
Sumatra quake tremors felt in Kota Baru
KALBANA PERIMBANAYAGAM New Straits Times 2 Mar 16;
KOTA BARU: Residents from the Pelangi Mall condominium here abandoned their units in terror as tremors shook the building tonight.
Tremors struck the building around 9.15pm, causing residents from two 23-storey blocks to scramble downstairs and gather outside.
The tremors however was barely fy at the remaining block - Block A - which is 15-storeys high.
Police were also present at the public area outside the riverside condominium, where the people had gathered temporarily.
The tremor is believed to have originated from a powerful 7.9-scale earthquake which struck Sumatra west coast tonight.
No tsunami warning has been issued for Malaysia.
