By P Prem Kumar
KUALA LUMPUR
Malaysia’s parliament approved an emergency motion Tuesday to debate the magnitude-5.9 earthquake that struck eastern Sabah state last Friday, killing at least 16 people.
The one-hour debate session was accepted by Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia, and is expected to take place between Sabah parliamentarians from both the government and opposition parties.
They are expected to push for the establishment of an earthquake research center and improvements to trekking paths at Mount Kinabalu -- where the casualties occurred after the tremor sent rocks and boulders crashing down one of Southeast Asia's highest peaks.
A total of six Malaysians, seven Singaporeans and one national each from the Philippines, China and Japan have been confirmed dead within the vicinity of the mountain. Two Singaporeans -- a teacher and student -- remain missing.
"We need one unit set up by the government -- either federal or state government -- to really seriously look at the matter,” Bung Mokhtar Radin, ruling Barisan Nasional MP from Sabah, told Anadolu Agency on Tuesday. “The center would be able to alert people before an earthquake could occur."
He said Malaysians have been too relaxed about being outside of the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates collide and cause frequent seismic and volcanic activity, and are not educated on ways of handling such tragic moments.
"We are going to propose to the government several ideas which are very crucial for the country. We have been too relaxed," Radin added.
Shahidan Kassim, a minister in the prime minister's office, told Anadolu Agency the debate would provide the government with the opportunity to explain allegations that search and rescue (SAR) officials had slacked in their duties to retrieve the stranded climbers on Mount Kinabalu after the quake.
"I will answer all the allegations when the motion is debated. All the criticisms aimed at the SAR teams are unfair and unwarranted,’ he stressed. “They are qualified and ready and were at the scene as fast as possible to recover bodies and climbers.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Najib Razak announced during a visit to Sabah on Tuesday that 10 million Ringgit (around $2.65 million) in aid would be provided for rebuilding Kinabalu Park after the earthquake damaged the national heritage site.
"It [the allocation] is a sign of support by the federal government towards efforts to undo the damage [at the park] as a result of the earthquake," national news agency Bernama quoted him as saying.
He also indicated that the number of seismic sensors with the latest technology would be increased in the area.
"Although none of the latest technology can detect major earthquakes early, at least with these sensors we can detect minor tremors and make a decision whether to issue an earthquake warning or not," Razak added.
