February 25, 2022
KUALA LUMPUR – Occupants in highrises at several locations in the Klang Valley and Melaka were evacuated from their buildings after tremors were felt Friday (Feb 25) morning.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department reported that a magnitude 6.1 earthquake had occurred at 9.39am Malaysian time in North Sumatra, Indonesia.
The tremor was felt in the western part of the peninsula, especially in Selangor, Perak, Negri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor.
In Putrajaya, employees at the Federal Territories Ministry had to evacuate the Menara Seri Wilayah building at Precinct 2 after the tremors were detected.
They then gathered at the parking lot next to the building.
Over at Kuala Lumpur City Hall headquarters, tremors were felt as well, and a DBKL spokesman said it was deemed not serious enough to warrant an evacuation.
“After the initial excitement, things are pretty much back to normal now,” he said when contacted.
In Kajang, the municipal council’s monthly full board meeting Level 7 of Menara MPKj had to be stopped after the tremors were felt.
It is learnt MPKj evacuated its staff and members of the public even before the alarm was triggered.
The television set and pictures hung on the wall in the meeting room could be seen shaking, MPKj said.
Its officers also guided visitors to the evacuation point outside Menara MPKj.
Some felt the tremors but decided to stay put.
Surjit Hambly, who lives on the 17th floor of the Desa Kudalari Condominium near KLCC, said she felt tremors around 9.45am.
“I was having breakfast and everything on the table began to shake including items hung behind the door,” she said.
“I heard that only those who lived in the upper floors felt the vibrations,” she added.
At Taman Desa, residents in highrises also reported feeling the tremors.
“I was going about my daily chores when I felt vibrations in my apartment in the Danau Desa Permai condo,” said Francis Tan, a resident.
“It was a little nerve-wracking, but it (only) lasted for a few seconds,” he said.
Teh Beng Choon, 64, was in his office in Petaling Jaya when he noticed his computer monitors shaking.
“I felt a strong tremor which lasted for a few seconds. It stunned me as earthquakes are not something we usually get in (Malaysia),” he said.
Though Teh continued working, he said he kept receiving messages from friends in other parts of Petaling Jaya, Klang and Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur about the tremors.
Meanwhile, in MELAKA, the Fire and Rescue Department confirmed receiving several calls on the tremors felt due to earthquake.
The tremors were also felt in the Melaka Government Administration hub at Ayer Keroh.
The other calls received were from the Jasin police headquarters, Hang Tuah Mall and UiTM at the centre of city.
Wisma Negeri in Ayer Keroh was also evacuated following the tremors.