Twenty more seismic stations, including seven in Sabah, would be set up this year, said the Meteorological Department.

Its director-general Che Gayah Ismail said four "strong motion" seismic stations will be lcoated in Keningau, Sandakan, Kota Belud and Kota Kinabalu, while three "weak motion" seismic stations will be set up in Ranau, Semporna and Lembah Danum.

Currently, Malaysia has 44 seismic stations, including eight in Sabah.

Of all the states, Sabah has been most prone to earthquakes. The last major earthquake happened on Friday, which has caused the deaths of several climbers on Mount Kinabalu.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia geologist associate prof Tajul Anuar Jamaluddin explained that these stations were merely monitoring stations and will not be able to forecast an earthquake.

Tajul Anuar added that no such system exists, reports Bernama .