Kuala lumpur: All high-rise buildings built since 2016 are required to comply with safety guidelines set by the Construction Industry Development Board of Malaysia (CIDB), which allow them to withstand earthquakes of 7 on the Richter scale and above, said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming. He stated that these measures ensure public safety remains a priority, even though Malaysia is not frequently affected by earthquakes or tsunamis.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, CIDB has implemented strict standards for the construction of new buildings, particularly high-rise structures, since 2016. Nga assured the public of the safety of these new buildings but emphasized the need for constant vigilance, as misfortunes can occur without warning. The minor earthquake in Segamat this morning highlighted the potential risks, indicating that Malaysia should not dismiss the threat of earthquakes and should remain prepared for such events.

Nga noted that the Urban Renewal Act, currently being drafted, aims to address the safety concerns of older buildings constructed before 2016, which may be vulnerable during strong earthquakes. He explained that older structures, such as village houses and single-storey terraces, are not subject to the current standards due to their design, underscoring the need for the new act to enhance public safety. He firmly stated that safety should never be compromised.

Johor, particularly Segamat, has experienced five earthquakes over the past five days, with the most recent occurring at 4.24 am today, measuring 3.4 in magnitude. Previous earthquakes in the area on August 24, 27, and 28 had magnitudes ranging from 2.5 to 4.1.

Nga also highlighted Malaysia's achievement of having the fourth most skyscrapers globally but urged against politicizing building safety, emphasizing it as a collective responsibility. The MADANI government mandates that all people's housing projects (PPR) and residency programmes (PRR) must achieve at least an 80 in the Qlassix quality assessment system by CIDB, setting a higher standard than before. Nga announced that the country's first PRR will launch later this year in Tambun by the Prime Minister, aiming to surpass the HDB model in Singapore, providing Malaysians with high-quality homes.