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THE Malaysian government is closely monitoring a series of minor earthquakes recorded in Segamat, Johor, with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi assuring the public that ongoing tremors are under watch and preparedness measures are in place.
He urged local communities to remain vigilant but not to panic following six low-magnitude quakes that have occurred in the district since last week.
“Monitoring will continue, and, God willing, preparedness for all residents in Segamat and Johor in general will be overseen by the state and national disaster committees,” he said when speaking to reporters after attending the Kembara Merdeka Akar Umbi Negeri Sembilan programme today.
Ahmad Zahid also encouraged the public to hold special prayers seeking protection from calamities.
Earlier this morning, a 2.7 magnitude quake struck Segamat at 7.29am, marking the fifth recorded tremor in just eight days. According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), the epicentre was located at latitude 2.5°N and longitude 102.8°E, with a depth of 10 kilometres.
Several government buildings sustained minor damage due to the recurring seismic activity, prompting on-site inspections by the Public Works Department (JKR).
Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan confirmed that engineers in Segamat had reported cracks in several buildings, including Segamat Community Colleges 1 and 2, the Gemereh Police Quarters, and Segamat Hospital.
“In addition, several ceiling panels at the Segamat District Religious Office collapsed. JKR is on 24-hour standby to conduct initial safety assessments,” he said during a flag distribution event in Pontian today.
“Although the structural damage is not severe, JKR will continue monitoring and has deployed personnel to ensure public safety is prioritised.”
The first tremor struck on Sunday, 24 August, with a magnitude of 4.1 at 6.13am, followed by a second at 8.59am. Subsequent quakes occurred on Wednesday, Thursday night, early Friday morning, and this morning.
While earthquakes are rare in Peninsular Malaysia, historical records show two significant inland quakes in Johor in 1922, on 31 January (magnitude 5.4) and 7 February (magnitude 5.0), both causing minor damage in Muar.
According to the Department of Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia (JMG), the recent activity may be linked to the reactivation of an ancient fault releasing stored tectonic stress within the continental crust.
“Johor has also experienced minor tremors in 2021 and 2023, although those were caused by offshore seismic events near Sumatra,” JMG noted.
“The series of earthquakes in Segamat suggests that the continental crust in Peninsular Malaysia retains tectonic stress that may be suddenly released. Preliminary geological mapping indicates that the Segamat epicentre lies near the extension of the Mersing Fault Zone, which trends northwest-southeast.”
JMG confirmed that the quakes were not caused by volcanic activity or deep-sea subduction, but rather shallow continental crust movement, with depths around 10 kilometres.
“Reactivation of ancient faults is not new in Peninsular Malaysia,” it added, citing historical inland quakes in Bukit Tinggi, Pahang (2007–2010), Kenyir, Terengganu (1984), Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan (1987), and Manjung-Temenggor, Perak (1990s).
JMG and MetMalaysia, under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), are working together to strengthen scientific monitoring and seismic analysis, both within Malaysia and in neighbouring regions.
“The results of these efforts will inform proactive preparedness measures to ensure public safety, infrastructure protection, and community resilience—especially in areas vulnerable to seismic threats,” JMG stated.
Although the seismic risk remains low compared to neighbouring Sumatra, authorities stress the importance of proactive steps to protect lives and safeguard economic stability.
“Key measures include ongoing seismic network monitoring, updated mapping of active and ancient faults, and the development of early warning systems for public and critical infrastructure preparedness,” it said. - August 30, 2025
