Penang will be exposed to strong quakes and tsunami threat, in the event of a strong earthquake occurring in neighbouring countries.

Malaysian Meteorological Department director-general Dr Yap Kok Seng disclosed that an earthquake in the seabed of the Andaman Islands, Nicobar and waters off North Sumatra could trigger a tsunami in the state.

“The tsunami could come in about three hours and 20 minutes, accompanied by 4m-high waves.

“Even though Malaysia is located outside the Pacific Ring of Fire, the country is not free from earthquake threats as our country is surrounded by sea,” he said.

Yap was speaking to reporters after addressing a training exercise organised by the department with the National Security Council in Batu Feringghi today.

He said the exercise was aimed at testing the communications system, as well as evaluating the agency’s coordination in managing disaster, besides raising public awareness and providing experience to local residents on how to save themselves.

“In a short period of time, the people should understand and know the things to be done, such as people evacuation, in less then two hours.

“For example, when a disaster occurred, the public should not move around in cars but instead use vehicles provided by the disaster management team to avoid traffic congestion,” added Yap.

He said the department would be installing warning sirens at high-risk locations such as Tanjung Bunga, Teluk Bahang, Batu Feringghi, Pasir Panjang, Kampung Nelayan and Kampung Kuala Sungai Muda.

He said the warning alert through a Fixed Lined Alert System, with the cooperation of Telekom, would contact all houses and offices with fixed line within 3km from the beach.

Twenty five agencies took part in the training exercise, including the police, Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Department, Welfare Department, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the information department, among others.

- Bernama