The need to ensure that houses are built to withstand earthquakes is among the reasons behind the introduction of the Urban Renewal Bill, housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming said.
He said buildings erected since 2016 complied to standards set by the Construction Industry Development Board, including the ability to withstand quakes measuring 7 on the Richter scale.
Nga said Malaysia could not take the threat of potential earthquakes lightly after Segamat was struck by four minor quakes, including one measuring 3.4 on the Richter scale early this morning.
Minor quakes were reported in Segamat on Aug 24, Aug 27 and Aug 28.
“This is why the Urban Renewal Bill is needed. Public safety is our priority. There is no compromise when it comes to matters like this,” he said at a press conference.
The bill, which was tabled in the Dewan Rakyat last Thursday, seeks to replace outdated legislation and regulations governing the redevelopment of dilapidated urban areas.
It has met with some resistance from MPs on the opposition and government benches. The debate on the proposed law has been deferred to the next Dewan Rakyat meeting in October.
