The government today urged residents of Borneo island to stay away from coastal areas following a huge earthquake off Japan, but said the country did not face the threat of a tsunami.

“Rough seas and high sea level are expected near Labuan and Sabah between 6.00pm and midnight,” the Meteorological Department said.

It said no tsunami warning had been issued for Malaysia and it would continue to monitor the situation.

A huge 8.9-magnitude earthquake rocked Japan today, sending a 10-metre tsunami slamming into its Pacific coastline.

It triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific Ocean.

- AFP