Safety aspects in high-rise construction to be reviewed - DBKL

Kuala Lumpur City Hall will review the safety aspects that need to be given attention in constructing high-rise buildings in the federal capital in order to withstand earthquake tremors.

Mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib said DBKL would obtain the views and advice of the relevant experts.

"There are matters that should be given attention with regard to earthquakes. As such, we will review the construction of new high-rise buildings in Kuala Lumpur," he told reporters after the launching of the Bukit Jalil City project today.

The project, expected to be completed in 2019, was launched by Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

Ahmad Phesal was earlier asked to comment on a local media report that touched on Malaysia's location of being at risk of earthquake tremors in future.

According to the report, Malaysia's proximity to the Pacific Ring of Fire and its neighbours, Indonesia and the Philippines which often experienced earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, would make Malaysia susceptible to moderate and low-magnitude tremors when strong earthquakes hit the two neighbouring countries.

The last time Peninsular Malaysia, specifically Penang, Kedah, Perak, Selangor and Malacca experienced tremors was on July 2, 2013 when an earthquake of magnitude 6.1 on the Richter scale hit North Sumatra, Indonesia.

The epicentre of the earthquake was 65km southwest of Lhokseumawe, Indonesia and 385km southwest of Balik Pulau, Penang.