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STRONGER earthquakes than the recent tremor in Segamat could strike Peninsular Malaysia if dormant fault lines reactivate, according to a seismic engineering expert.
Dr Azlan Adnan, who specialises in earthquake-resistant engineering, said several known active fault lines exist in the peninsula, including those in Bukit Tinggi (Pahang), Kuala Pilah (Negeri Sembilan), Manjung and Temenggor (Perak), as well as Tasik Kenyir (Terengganu).
“The areas that warrant particular attention span the west coast and central parts of the peninsula, between latitudes two and four degrees north,” he told *Sinar Harian* on Sunday.
“This corridor includes key towns and cities such as Klang, Kuala Lumpur, Seremban, Melaka, Muar, Batu Pahat, Segamat, and Kluang. Hazard studies have indicated that these zones have higher Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) values compared to other parts of the country.”
He attributed this increased risk to the peninsula’s proximity to seismic sources in Sumatra and the presence of potentially active local fault lines.
Azlan emphasised that such tremors are not uncommon and should not be considered unusual.
“Malaysia is not earthquake-proof. We lie near a major seismic zone in Sumatra, and we also have legacy fault lines within the peninsula which can occasionally reactivate,” he said.
“The likelihood of further local tremors remains — maybe low, maybe rising, but certainly not zero.”
From an engineering standpoint, he added, even relatively minor quakes play a critical role in exposing structural weaknesses, particularly in buildings that were not designed to meet minimum seismic codes.
“It is a time to be vigilant, not to panic,” he said.
Azlan further recommended that Malaysia update its national seismic hazard map using 2025 data, which should integrate sources from both Sumatra and local intraplate faults.
He also called for the implementation of microzonation in urban areas, prioritising cities such as Johor Bahru, Segamat, Kluang, the Klang Valley, Melaka, Seremban, Ipoh, and Penang.
“More funding should be channelled into seismic data science, microzonation studies, structural instrumentation, and modern building code development,” he said.
He noted that global seismic patterns show that major distant earthquakes — such as those in Sumatra — can trigger reactivation of older fault lines within the Malaysian peninsula.
“This suggests that the stress in the Earth’s crust around us is constantly shifting. The more data we collect, the sooner we can detect emerging patterns,” he added. - August 25, 2025