MALAYSIA’S Meteorological Department (METMalaysia) reported that the first quake, measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale, struck the Banda Sea region of Indonesia at 11:05 a.m. local time.
The tremor was centred at 6.7 degrees south latitude and 130.1 degrees east longitude, with a depth of 103 kilometres. It occurred approximately 398 kilometres southeast of Ambon, Indonesia.
A second earthquake, registering 5.1 on the Richter scale, affected the Philippine archipelago at 10:56 a.m., centred at 5.0 degrees north latitude and 127.4 degrees east longitude, with a depth of 65 kilometres.
The tremor’s epicentre lay around 136 kilometres northeast of Talaud Island in Indonesia.
METMalaysia confirmed that despite the seismic activity, there is no threat of a tsunami to Malaysian shores from either earthquake.
The department continues to monitor seismic developments in the region, as Indonesia and the Philippines are located along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a zone known for frequent tectonic activity. - January 1, 2026
