Penang’s infrastructure designed to withstand magnitude 7 earthquakes

Penang’s buildings and bridges are designed to withstand earthquakes of up to magnitude 7 on the Richter scale, according to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. His statement comes after tremors from a magnitude 7.7 earthquake in Myanmar were felt in various parts of Penang, including George Town and Butterworth.

While Penang is not within an earthquake-prone zone, seismic tremors from regional earthquakes in Southeast Asia are often experienced on the island. Nearby countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines lie within the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” making them more susceptible to seismic activity.

Chow assured that critical structures, including Komtar and bridges, have been designed with earthquake resistance in mind. However, the extent of seismic considerations varies across different types of buildings in the state.

Mayors of Penang’s two city councils, A Rajendran of Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Baderul Amin Hamid of Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP), provided further insights into earthquake resilience in local construction. Rajendran stated that seismic effects are considered for projects, but earthquake-resistant designs are not strictly imposed across all buildings. A guideline prepared by MBPP and the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) has been shared with developers to ensure best practices in construction.

Findings from IEM indicate that shorter, rigid buildings are more vulnerable to earthquake damage compared to taller structures, which are designed to flex under seismic forces. Meanwhile, Baderul Amin emphasized that Seberang Perai, with fewer high-rise buildings and large dams, has a lower necessity for stringent seismic design regulations. He noted that making earthquake-resistant designs mandatory would significantly increase construction costs.

The Myanmar earthquake, which struck near Mandalay, resulted in over 1,000 fatalities and thousands of injuries. The country sits between the India and Eurasia tectonic plates along the Saigang Fault, placing it at high risk for seismic activity.

While Penang remains outside an earthquake danger zone, the tremors from neighboring countries highlight the importance of incorporating structural resilience into future developments to ensure public safety.