Question for Malaysia: Are We Ready for Natural Disasters including Earthquake?

Bangkok had a nightmare yesterday. The city shook as tremors from a powerful earthquake in Myanmar rippled through Thailand, causing skyscrapers shaking (and collapsed too) 😰, leaving people in shock and uncertainty.

While the extend of the damage was still unable to determine now, the incident served as a stark reminder — what if this happened to us in Malaysia?

Reminder: Our neighbour Indonesia is situated in the "Ring of Fire" is highly vulnerable to natural disasters, including earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions.

Malaysia has been fortunate to be outside the Pacific Ring of Fire, but that doesn’t mean we’re immune to natural disasters. Floods, landslides, tsunamis and occasional tremors have made headlines over the years. The question is: Are we prepared?

1. Are Malaysian Buildings Earthquake-Resistant?
   
   
   Many of our skyscrapers are built to withstand strong winds and tropical storms, but what about earthquakes? Some high-rises, especially in Kuala Lumpur, follow international seismic codes, but older structures might not. The tremors felt in parts of Malaysia from past earthquakes (like in Sumatra) show that our buildings aren’t completely immune.
   
   
   Should Malaysia tighten its construction regulations? Should developers be required to consider seismic risks even if major earthquakes aren’t common here? This is something worth discussing. 👀
   
   
2. Disaster Preparedness: Are Malaysians Too Relaxed?
   
   
   Let’s be honest — how many of us actually know what to do during an earthquake? We’ve had fire drills in offices and schools, but earthquake drills? 👀 Hardly. In countries like Japan, earthquake preparedness is a way of life. People know where to go, what to do, and how to respond.
   
   
   Maybe it’s time for Malaysia to introduce earthquake awareness programs, especially for residents in high-rise buildings. Because when disaster strikes, panic often does more damage than the disaster itself.
   
   
3. Is Our Insurance System Ready?
   
   
   Here’s a financial perspective — how many Malaysians have insurance coverage for natural disasters? Most basic home insurance policies cover fire, but earthquakes? Floods? Landslides? Tsunamis? Not necessarily. In Thailand, some insurance companies may now see a spike in claims related to building damages from the recent tremors. 💣
   
   
   If Malaysia were to experience a stronger earthquake, would insurers be ready to handle claims? And more importantly, are Malaysians aware of the risks and whether their policies cover them?
   
   
4. Economic Disruptions: Can We Handle the Fallout?
   
   
   Natural disasters don’t just cause physical destruction; they shake up economies too. Supply chains get disrupted, businesses shut down, and investor confidence takes a hit. While Malaysia isn’t a high-risk earthquake zone, an event like the Bangkok tremors could impact us indirectly — especially in trade, tourism, and regional investments.
   
   
   Should businesses in Malaysia start factoring in natural disaster risks? Do we need more resilient supply chains? These are conversations worth having before disaster strikes, not after.

Final Thoughts: A Wake-Up Call for Malaysia?

Thailand’s earthquake scare is a reminder that nature doesn’t care about borders. Just because Malaysia isn’t an earthquake hotspot doesn’t mean we should be complacent. From stronger building regulations to better disaster preparedness, we have lessons to learn.

The question is: Will we wait for a disaster to happen before we take action?

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