A TEAM of geotechnical researchers have conducted a preliminary investigation into cracks that appeared on a farm in Jalan Buloh Kasap, Batu 2, following a string of minor earthquakes in the Segamat district.
The team, comprising experts from the Johor Minerals and Geoscience Department (JMG), the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), spent over an hour at the site on Saturday using ABEM Terrameter LS 2 equipment, a subsurface resistivity system used to assess underground structures.
The initial study was witnessed by Bernama and involved key personnel including Johor JMG director Noorazhar Ngatimin, Johor MetMalaysia director Nor Adawiah Abdullah, and UTM civil engineering lecturers Dr Mohd Nur Asmawisham Alel, Associate Professor Dr Mariyana Aida Ab Kadir, and Dr Mohd Zamri Ramli.
The team will now analyse its preliminary findings before offering any conclusions on the cause or potential risks associated with the fissures.
Farm owner Ramlah Ishak, 56, whose land was affected, expressed relief that authorities had responded to her concerns.
“I’m grateful the state government and research team have taken this seriously,” she said, adding that she trusted the team’s expertise in determining the cause. However, she also called on relevant agencies to carry out continued assessments, particularly in the event of future seismic activity.
“I worry the cracks could widen if there’s another quake,” she added.
Segamat experienced a series of five minor earthquakes in the space of just over a week, beginning with a magnitude 4.1 tremor at 6.13am on 24 August.
This was followed by subsequent quakes measuring 3.2, 2.5, 3.4 and 2.7 on the Richter scale, recorded between Wednesday and Saturday. - August 31, 2025
