The 5.9 magnitude earthquake centred in Ranau, Sabah, today, has set the record of being the strongest earthquake to have hit Malaysia.

The moderate earthquake has broken the strongest earthquake record set in 1976, when an earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale struck Lahad Datu, causing heavy damage to property and cracks in buildings.

In the last 39 years, four earthquakes were reported in Ranau, namely in 1989 with tremors measuring 5.6; 1991 (5.1); March 2005 (4.1) and in February 2010 (2.6) on the Richter scale.

Another two occurred in Lahad Datu in 1976 with a magnitude of 5.8 and in May 2011 (3.3); in Tawau in November 2005 (5.8); in Sandakan in June 2011 (4.0); in Kunak in May 2012 (3.7); in Kudat in July 2013 (3.6) and in October 2014 (4.4).

The last time an earthquake occurred in Sabah was in Sandakan in February this year with a magnitude of 5.6 on the Richter scale.

Although Sabah is outside the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Centre for Research and Innovation of Universiti Malaysia Sabah, found areas in Kundasang, Ranau, Pitas, Lahad Datu and Tawau at risk of earthquakes.

- Bernama