KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 25 — The Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) received thirty-four building emergency calls in the Klang Valley after tremors were felt following the strong earthquake in Indonesia Sumatra island this morning.
Among the buildings involved were Menara Glomac, Wisma BSN, Menara AmBank and Pantai Indah Apartment and others in Taman Miharja and Jalan Pantai Dalam here, as well as those in Shah Alam, Cyberjaya, Sepang, Kapar, Banting, Puchong, Kajang, Subang Jaya, and Petaling Jaya in Selangor.
The Meteorological Department MetMalaysia tweeted that an earthquake of 6.1 magnitude had occurred in northern Sumatra at 9.39 am and that tremors were felt on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, especially in Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor.
Kuala Lumpur JPBM spokesman said fire stations around the city had been asked to run inspections at the call locations to monitor and ensure that the buildings were safe and not affected by the tremors. So far, no damage or casualties were reported, he said.
In Shah Alam, Selangor JBPM director Norazam Khamis said following the tremors, residents in high-rise buildings were instructed to evacuate the premises and gather in open areas pending inspections and further instructions.
In a separate statement, its assistant director (Operation) Hafisham Mohd Noor said the department received four reports at 9.48am after several buildings in Telok Datok Court in Banting, Jalan TPP2 Taman Perindustrian Puchong, Jalan PJS 5/27 Taman Medan and Jalan Zamrud 1 Kajang had experienced tremors this morning.
He said the department had also received distress calls at 9.49am and 9.50am involving areas in USJ 10/1, Subang Jaya, and Hilton Hotel in Petaling Jaya, respectively.
Meanwhile, in Melaka, seven calls relating to the tremors were received by the state JBPM involving the State Secretary Building in Seri Negeri, Jasin Police headquarters building, Hang Tuah Jaya building and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) building in Central Melaka.
Also affected were the Melaka Inland Revenue Board building near the MITC ring road, Melaka Islamic Religious Council building in Jalan Bukit Palah and PPR flats in Jalan Tehel.
Melaka JBPM spokesman said the calls were received between 9.45 am and 10.42am.
So far, no casualties and damage were reported, he added.
— Bernama
