KUALA LUMPUR: Tremors felt in the Klang Valley and beyond following an earthquake in Sumatra sent thousands scurrying out of buildings onto the streets for safety.
Occupants of high-rises at several locations in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Negri Sembilan, Melaka and even up to Taiping and Teluk Intan had to be evacuated after the temblor rattled buildings, including hospitals and government offices, yesterday morning.
In Kajang, a municipal council board meeting was halted.
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 and items hung behind the door began to shake. I heard that only those who lived in the upper floors felt the vibrations,” she added.
“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. I was stunned,” he said.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department said a 6.1-magnitude earthquake had occurred at 9.39am Malaysian time in North Sumatra, Indonesia, leading to tremors which were felt in the western part of the peninsula, especially in Selangor, Perak, Negri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor.
Bernama reported that a total of 34 building emergency calls were received by the Fire and Rescue Department in the Klang Valley.
Among the buildings affected were Menara Glomac, Wisma BSN, Menara AmBank and Pantai Indah Apartment and others in Taman Miharja and Jalan Pantai Dalam here, as well as those in Shah Alam, Cyberjaya, Sepang, Kapar, Banting, Puchong, Kajang, Subang Jaya, and Petaling Jaya in Selangor.
A Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said fire stations around the city had been asked to run inspections at the call locations to monitor and ensure that the buildings were safe and not affected by the tremors.
In Putrajaya, the Federal Territories Ministry staffers had to be evacuated to a parking lot next to the building.
Over at the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) headquarters, tremors were felt as well, and a DBKL spokesman said it was deemed not serious enough to warrant an evacuation.
In Kajang, the municipal council’s monthly full board meeting at Level 7 of Menara MPKj had to be stopped after the tremors were felt.
The television set and pictures hung on the wall in the meeting room could be seen shaking, MPKj said.
In SEREMBAN, hairline cracks were found at two buildings.
State Fire and Rescue Department assistant director (operations) Zamhuri Zainnordin said tiny cracks were found on the eighth floor of a private hospital and on the first floor of a government complex in Port Dickson.
He said his department did not receive any reports of injuries.
In MELAKA, the Fire and Rescue Department confirmed receiving several calls on the tremors after they were felt in the Melaka government administration hub at Ayer Keroh, Jasin police headquarters, Hang Tuah Mall and UiTM in the city centre.
A spokesman from the Perak Fire and Rescue Department said they received a call from the Taiping Inland Revenue Board about the tremors.
“There were no damage or victims involved and we will be monitoring the situation closely,” he said.
In Teluk Intan, boutique owner Nur Shahira Shaari, 27, said the tremors were felt at about 9.40am.
“I was wrapping an item to be sent to a customer when I suddenly felt woozy.
“It was very brief and I thought I was having a dizzy spell before everything went back to normal,” she said.