Penang shaken by distant quake

New Straits Times

11-05-2025

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Fire and Rescue Department received two reports of tremors this afternoon, following an earthquake in Sumatra.
Its director Mohamad Shoki Hamzah said the calls were made from Block 1, Taman Selatan in Jelutong, and the City Bayview Hotel in George Town, at 5.15pm.
He said the tremors were believed to have been caused by a moderate earthquake in the neighbouring country.
"The earthquake occurred at 4.57pm local time.
"Upon receiving the reports, teams from the Jalan Perak and Lebuh Pantai fire and rescue stations were deployed to both locations to carry out safety inspections and monitor the buildings," he said.
Shoki added that, so far, no structural damage to any buildings had been reported, and the situation remained under control.
"Our teams are continuing to monitor the situation, and any developments will be shared in due course," he said.
The public has been advised to remain vigilant, follow instructions from the authorities, and avoid spreading unverified information to prevent unnecessary panic.
Earlier, it was reported that several areas across Penang experienced brief tremors following a 5.9-magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale in northern Sumatra, Indonesia.
The tremors were felt on the mainland in Nibong Tebal, Bukit Mertajam, Bukit Minyak, Bertam, Penaga, Seberang Jaya, Perda and Butterworth.
On the island, they were experienced in Bayan Baru, Air Itam, Farlim, Batu Lanchang, Batu Maung, Sungai Pinang, Jalan Utama, Tanjung Tokong, and Balik Pulau.
According to a statement by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) on Facebook, the earthquake was centred in the waters off northern Sumatra at a depth of 74km, occurring at approximately 4.57pm.
"There is no tsunami threat to Malaysia, though minor tremors may be felt in some areas along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
"The earthquake was located 107km southeast of Meulaboh, Indonesia. MetMalaysia will continue to monitor the situation," it said.
Nurul Amira Abdul Rahim, 40, a resident of Farlim, said she felt light-headed while preparing food for her two children.
"I was in the kitchen cooking when I suddenly felt dizzy. It felt as though the floor was shaking.
"Even the glass moved slightly, but it only lasted around five seconds. Later, I saw on Facebook that there had been an earthquake," she said.
Another resident, M. Aigini, 43, from Tanjung Tokong, said she experienced a similar sensation while watching television.
"I thought I was just feeling unwell, but when my husband said he felt it too, we realised something was off.
"Still, the tremor didn't last long — just over a minute. We didn't leave the house as it passed so quickly," she said.