DATUK Seri Hajiji Noor has advised residents in Tawau, Kunak, Semporna and Lahad Datu to stay calm and adhere to instructions following the tsunami warning due to the 7.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Mindanao, Southern Philippines, this morning.
The Chief Minister said the District Disaster Management Committees (JPBD) in the areas concerned have been activated to deal with the situation.
“The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has stated that a tsunami wave as high as 0.4 metres is expected to hit the area from 10.30 am to noon today.
“It is important for the people to remain calm and follow the authorities’ instructions,” he said in a statement today.
He said the State Government, through the State Disaster Operations Control Centre, is closely monitoring the situation.
A strong earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale struck Mindanao, the Philippines, at 7.37 am today, according to MetMalaysia.
In a Facebook post, MetMalaysia said the earthquake occurred at a depth of 50km, about 97km south of Koronadal City, Philippines.
Tremors were also felt in Sabah, involving Tawau, Semporna and surrounding areas. “MetMalaysia is monitoring developments in the incident,” the post said.
MetMalaysia director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip, in a separate statement, said that based on analysis, a tsunami of up to 0.4m is expected to hit coastal areas in Tawau, Semporna, Kunak and Lahad Datu between 10.30 am and 12 pm today.
He urged the public in the affected areas to remain vigilant and comply with instructions issued by the authorities from time to time. – June 8, 2026
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