Kota kinabalu: The public is advised not to panic following the strong 6.8-magnitude earthquake, at a depth of 678 kilometres (km), that occurred off the coast of Sabah at 12.57 am today. Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said information received thus far showed that the impact of the occurrence was minimal.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, based on analysis from the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia)'s tremor map system, the quake's intensity was at a weak level, covering the whole of Sabah and northern Sarawak. "Although the tremors could be felt as far as Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia due to its depth in the Mantle Zone, its impact on the earth's surface is weak, and the risk of structural damage is generally low," Kurup stated.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) also emphasised that there is no risk of a tsunami due to the quake's great depth, thus not causing significant disturbance or displacement of the seabed. Residents in coastal areas need not worry about a tsunami threat at this time. Kurup added that the incident is different from the 2015 Ranau earthquake, which was 'shallow' in nature, as this quake was a natural geological process occurring far beneath the earth's crust due to oceanic plate movement.
"Generally, the risk of building damage is low. However, tremors may be felt more strongly in areas with soft soil," he said. Arthur also noted that the Department of Mineral and Geoscience (JMG) is collaborating with local authorities to ensure that earthquake-resistant building codes continue to be enhanced for public safety.
"I want to stress that the situation is under control. This phenomenon shows that Sabah is geologically active, but this morning's incident doesn't pose a major threat to public safety," he reassured. The NRES, through its agencies, is constantly strengthening the effectiveness of the Early Warning System (EWS) for weather-related disasters, earthquakes, and tsunamis to ensure information on disaster threats can be delivered swiftly, accurately, and comprehensively.
Moreover, MetMalaysia will continue to monitor for any aftershocks and provide the latest developments if any seismic activity is detected. Arthur also urged the public not to disseminate fake news that can cause concern, as the JMG, MetMalaysia, and NADMA (National Disaster Management Agency) are monitoring the situation 24 hours daily.