Even ‘stable’ Malaysia isn’t immune to tremors: Johor mulls Japan-style phone alerts in Smart City plan after Segamat quake scare

JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 25 — Disaster detection, including earthquake monitoring, will be among the key indicators in Johor’s Smart City development moving forward.

State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said Johor is exploring the introduction of a smartphone-based disaster early warning system as part of its Smart City framework.

“This system is already in use in Japan and Korea, where residents within a designated radius receive emergency alerts in cases of earthquakes, fires, or accidents. We want to integrate a similar system into the Johor Smart City indicators,” he said.

He made the remarks after announcing the Johor Smart City Forum (JSCF), scheduled for September 22 to 24, which will feature over 40 exhibitors, including industry players from across Asean.

Currently, 16 local authorities (PBTs) in Johor are involved in Smart City initiatives. Seven have reached Level 1 (Smart City Ready Adopter), while the Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB) has advanced to Level 3.

Although Malaysia lies in a relatively stable tectonic zone, Mohd Jafni noted that the recent minor earthquake in Segamat underscored the importance of enhanced monitoring and early warning systems.

“The state government places great priority on public safety. If additional equipment is needed in high-risk areas, we will implement it as best as we can,” he added.

JSCF 2025 will serve as a platform for states across Malaysia to exchange experiences and initiatives in smart city development. For the first time, the forum will also see participation from Asean and international countries, with confirmed exhibitors from Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, and Thailand. — Bernama