An earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale that occurred in northern Sumatera, Indonesia at 1.59pm today resulted in several tremors being felt in several areas in Peninsular Malaysia, the Malaysian Meteorological Department said.

A spokesman of the department said among the areas that felt the tremors that lasted for two minutes were Penang, Perlis, Klang Valley, Kedah, and Langkawi.

However, the earthquake did not pose any tsunami threat to Malaysia and the Meteorological Department was monitoring the situation.

Meanwhile in Penang, thousands of residents in high-rise buildings in George Town and Bayan Lepas left their homes when the buildings swayed for almost two minutes.

A resident on the sixth floor of Nusantara flats, in Penang, Hanisah Othman, 40, said she felt dizzy after the flat swayed but did not leave the building for fear of being trapped.

She said, however, hundreds of residents had fled downstairs when it occurred.

The Meteorological Department reported that four areas in Penang had felt the tremors.

"Among the areas affected were Seberang Jaya, Batu Feringghi, Sg Dua, and Batu Kawan," the spokesman said when contacted, here today.

- Bernama