Minister Arthur Kurup assures the public after a deep 6.8 magnitude quake off Sabah, stating intensity is weak and tsunami risk is negligible.

KUALA LUMPUR: The public has been advised to remain calm following a significant 6.8 magnitude earthquake that occurred off the coast of Sabah early today.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said current information indicates the impact has been minimal.

Analysis from the Malaysian Meteorological Department’s tremor map system shows the quake’s intensity was at a weak level across Sabah and northern Sarawak.

“Although the tremors could be felt as far as Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia due to its depth in the Mantle Zone, its impact on the earth’s surface is weak, and the risk of structural damage is generally low,” he said in a statement.

He emphasised there is no tsunami risk due to the quake’s great depth of 678 kilometres.

This depth means it did not cause significant seabed displacement, so coastal residents need not worry.

Arthur explained this event differs from the 2015 Ranau earthquake, which was shallow.

Today’s quake was a deep, natural geological process caused by oceanic plate movement.

He noted tremors may be felt more strongly in areas with soft soil, but overall structural risk remains low.

The Department of Mineral and Geoscience is working with local authorities to enhance earthquake-resistant building codes.

“I want to stress that the situation is under control,” Arthur said.

He described Sabah as geologically active but said this incident does not pose a major public safety threat.

His ministry’s agencies are constantly strengthening early warning systems for disasters.

MetMalaysia will continue monitoring for aftershocks and provide updates on any new seismic activity.

The public is urged not to spread unverified news that may cause unnecessary concern.

Relevant agencies are monitoring the situation around the clock.

 The Sun Malaysia