Segamat: A Disaster Risk Management Programme on Earthquakes involving more than 300 community leaders and local representatives was held at the multipurpose hall in Jalan Genuang here as part of efforts to strengthen community preparedness following several mild tremors recorded in the district recently.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the programme was jointly organised by the Department of Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia (JMG), the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), and the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA). It focused on raising community awareness of earthquake risks and immediate response measures to minimise the impact of disasters.

Senior Director of the National Weather and Earthquake Operations Centre at MetMalaysia, Marqun Fadzli Mohd Fahmi, highlighted the importance of such programmes even though Segamat is not located in an active earthquake zone. He emphasized that these initiatives provide communities with knowledge and practical guidance to deal with any eventuality.

'Early awareness and preparedness training are key to reducing risks and ensuring community safety,' he said during a briefing attended by JMG director-general Datuk Zamri Ramli and NADMA director-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah. Also present were Johor Deputy State Secretary (Management) and Johor Disaster Management Committee member Datuk Ismail Abu, along with Segamat District Officer and Chairman of the Segamat District Disaster Management Committee, Ezzuddin Sanusi.

Residents welcomed the initiative, noting its timeliness following the mild tremors that have affected the district since last month. Mohammad Khairul Najid Mustafha, a resident from Taman Yayasan, expressed that he now has a better understanding of earthquake risks and the necessary steps to take in the event of an occurrence.

'I believe this awareness programme is very important as it opened my eyes to dangers that I had never considered before, even though the tremors in Segamat were categorised as mild,' he stated.

Another participant, Aina Nasuha Khairuzamman from Bandar IOI Segamat, expressed her newfound confidence in responding to potential tremors. 'I now feel more confident about how to react if a tremor occurs. Even though there have been no tremors in recent days, early preparedness must still be a priority,' she said.