Johor bahru: The Johor government will provide aid to 62 heads of household in Segamat affected by the recent series of minor earthquakes, with a maximum allocation of RM3,000 per family. Johor Menteri Besar, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, said the assistance will be delivered with the support of the Federal government through the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, a report from the Segamat District Disaster Management Committee (JPBD) indicated that a total of 62 homes, two surau, and nine government premises were reported to have sustained damage. 'Immediately after the first tremor on Aug 24, the Segamat District Officer mobilised all agencies, village heads, and community leaders to conduct an immediate assessment. The damage was further evaluated through a special meeting of the JPBD.
Onn Hafiz emphasized that the state government recognizes the significant impact on families whose homes have been damaged. During the state legislative assembly sitting, he addressed questions from eight assemblymen regarding the disaster. A technical assessment by the Public Works Department and local authorities confirmed that all government buildings remain safe for use.
He added that essential facilities, including those operated by Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Petronas, Ranhill SAJ, and the Johor Water Regulatory Body, were also inspected, confirming that all systems and basic utilities were in good condition and functioning normally.
A series of minor earthquakes began in Segamat and Batu Pahat with a magnitude 4.1 tremor on Aug 24, followed by seven aftershocks of between magnitude 2.5 and 3.4 from Aug 27 until Sept 3. Onn Hafiz stated that the state government is focusing on several short-term key initiatives, including activating a 24-hour disaster operations room, disseminating public awareness announcements, developing standard operating procedures, and implementing a Community-Based Disaster Risk Management programme, which will be extended to schools and communities by the end of October.
'Six existing seismology stations in Johor will be upgraded and two additional stations will be constructed, following the RM3 million funding approved by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi,' he said. For the long term, Onn Hafiz mentioned that the government will enhance monitoring through ongoing studies of fault lines and implement earthquake-resistant building standards for all new developments. He confirmed that seismic risk mapping is being updated through observations of fault movements integrated with modern technology, including artificial intelligence (AI).