Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today ordered his officials to ensure that fishermen and other tsunami victims were resettled in safe areas further inland to guard against future disasters.

Abdullah, speaking in his home state Penang which was the worst hit by the Dec 26 earthquake and giant waves, said many houses and properties were destroyed because they were dilapidated and built too close to the sea.

"Houses built on stilts in the sea cannot last. We cannot expose our children and grandchildren to danger and they must make changes by building safer and more comfortable houses in future," he was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency.

"We ask God to keep our people safe from other disasters after this."

While Malaysia lies closer to the epicentre of the earthquake than many countries harder hit, it was protected from the full force of the waves by Indonesia's Sumatra island. A total of 68 people died in Malaysia, mostly in the northern resort island of Penang.

Neighbouring Kedah state was reported to have suffered severe damage to infrastructure, with losses estimated at RM21 million out of some RM100 million nationwide.

Sultan's birthday celebrations put off

The Sultan of Kedah has postponed Jan 16 celebrations for his birthday because he was saddened by the disaster, state chief minister Syed Razak Syed Zain announced. A new date will be announced later, he said.

Bernama said Malaysian police have deployed a team of 250 officers, including four forensic experts, to Indonesia's disaster-hit Aceh province to help with search and rescue efforts.

The first team of 125 men, who left Saturday, will stay for 15 days before being replaced by the second team.

Police are also sending two marine boats, six four-wheel-drive vehicles, medical supplies and baby food to Aceh, Bernama said.