Malaysia: Second phase of tsunami early warning system to be completed by year end

Putrajaya - The second phase of the country's National Early Tsunami Warning System (SAATNM) is expected to be completed by December, reported the Malaysian National News Agency, Bernama, early this week.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili said the system's upgrade would include three seismic stations, 15 tida gauge stations, 10 sirens and 14 beach cameras.

Ongkili who opened Malaysia's Earthquake and Tsunami Risks Forum here Tuesday said many of the systems were already in place and functioning.

"My ministry through the Malaysian Meteorological Department is currently carrying out the second phase of SAATNM to enhance the monitoring and information systems.

"The second phase started in April 2008 and is expected to be completed by December this year. Once ready, the SAATNM can issue tsunami warning through SMS Gateway and fixed lines through the Fixed Line Alert System," said Ongkili.

He said a research conducted by the ministry and relevant bodies showed that the tsunami high risk areas include coastal areas of Sabah, Sarawak, Penang, Kedah, Perlis, Perak and Selangor.

"The research also made a few recommendations, among which is to revive and enforce the Malaysian Building Code when planning and building infrastructure and enhance the SAATNM system's capabilities to create awareness among the people by educating them and getting feedback.

"All the relevant agencies, government or private, at all levels must also cooperate in providing such information to the public," he said.

Ongkili said the Ministry would consider the recommendations by the research group and take the necessary action like establishing the National Seismic and Tsunami Research Centre and expanding its purview to include climate change.

He added that the nation's capacity to handle natural disasters and the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) used by the government has been lauded and adopted by the United Nations.