SECOND PHASE OF TSUNAMI EARLY WARNING SYSTEM TO BE COMPLETED BY YEAR END

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- The second phase of the country's National Early Tsunami Warning System (SAATNM) is expected to be completed by December.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr Maximus Ongkili said the
system's upgrade would include three seismic stations, 15 tida gauge stations,
10 sirens and 14 beach cameras.

Ongkili who opened Malaysia's Earthquake and Tsunami Risks Forum said many
of the systems were already in place and functioning.

"My ministry through the Malaysian Meteorological Department is currently
carrying out the second phase of SAATNM to enhance the monitoring and
information systems.

"The second phase started in April 2008 and is expected to be completed by
December this year. Once ready, the SAATNM can issue tsunami warning through SMS
Gateway and fixed lines through the Fixed Line Alert System," said Ongkili.

He said a research conducted by the ministry and relevant bodies showed that
the tsunami high risk areas include coastal areas of states of Sabah, Sarawak,
Penang, Kedah, Perlis, Perak and Selangor.

"The research also made a few recommendations, among which is to revive and
enforce the Malaysian Building Code when planning and building infrastructure
and enhance the SAATNM system's capabilities to create awareness among the
people by educating them and getting feedback.

"All the relevant agencies, government or private, at all levels must also
cooperate in providing such information to the public," he said.

Ongkili said the Ministry would consider the recommendations by the research
group and take the necessary action like establishing the National Seismic and
Tsunami Research Centre and expanding its purview to include climate change.

He added that the nation's capacity to handle natural disasters and the
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) used by the government has been lauded and
adopted by the United Nations.
-- BERNAMA