Quake resistant guideline
Kota Kinabalu: The State Cabinet has approved the guideline for earthquake resistant buildings in or near quake zones, said Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.
“The State Government through a Cabinet meeting has agreed that all plans for new buildings in an earthquake zone should take into consideration the effects of quakes on the buildings.
“And this includes Kota Kinabalu. The Public Works Department has been instructed to provide beneficial input (on this matter) in future. City Hall will make this a vital aspect in approving any development plans,” Masidi said when opening the Natural Disaster Seminar, here, on Tuesday night.
On Nov 18, it was reported that the findings from the research conducted by the committee formed by City Hall on guidelines for earthquake resistant buildings was submitted to the State Cabinet on Nov 4.
Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor was quoted as saying the proposals were found applicable to be implemented in City Hall and other local government areas. A holistic standard and guideline for buildings in earthquake zones was seen necessary, especially after the June 5 earthquake.
The guideline, according to Hajiji, will put into consideration the preservation of environmental sensitivity, function, safety and other vital aspects and will be the main reference for the spatial development planning in the State.
“It could also minimise damages on belongings and avoid loss of lives,” Hajiji said in the report. However, the Institute of Architects Malaysia (PAM), in a report on Dec 1, stated concerns over the hiking of building costs in the incorporation of serious earthquake measures in buildings throughout the State without good justification.
In terms of PAM Sabah Chapter’s positions, they believe that public safety is of paramount importance but it must not be overdone for the sake of sustainability, said PAM Seismic Committee Chairman Arnold Kwan in the report.
Masidi also urged experts and academicians to rebut baseless speculations by unqualified quarters on earthquake predictions in Sabah. He said such speculations will only bring fear and anxiety among the people.
Meanwhile, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Vice Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Harun Abdullah said the two-day Natural Disaster Seminar was organised by UMS with the support from Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry, Institute of Geology Malaysia (IGM) and Geological Society of Malaysia (GSM).
The seminar was participated by 137 people from in and out of the country and 54 paper works were presented and the Science and Natural Resources Faculty of UMS has also forged a cooperation through a Letter of Intent with Kao Yuan University, Taiwan.
“It is hoped that the seminar will open a wide cooperation window so that the expertise on natural disasters can be enhanced as part of the effort to have a better knowledge on the natural forces,” Mohd Harun said.
Mohd Harun said the seminar focused on natural disaster issues like landslide, flood, erosion, earthquake, typhoon and also climate change which affected the community, in terms of economy, environmental, health and security.
Also present were IGM President Datuk Yunus Abdul Razak, UMS Science and Natural Resources Faculty Dean Prof Dr Baba Musta, Natural Disaster Studies Centre Head Prof Dr Kawi Bidin and Natural Disaster Seminar Chairman Dr Rodeano Roslee.
Source: Daily Express
