Do Malaysian Buildings Consider Earthquakes?
by Sr Dr. Noor Azeyah Dato' Khiyon,
Head of the School of Built Environment
Recent Johor tremors raised public concern. Malaysia isn’t earthquake-prone, but what does this mean for our buildings?
When Johor recently felt earthquake tremors from neighbouring Indonesia, the event sparked public concern. Although Malaysia is not widely recognised as an earthquake-prone country, the question arises: are our buildings designed with earthquakes in mind? To answer this, it is important to consider Malaysia’s location, our building regulations, and the role of construction professionals, particularly Quantity Surveyors, in ensuring compliance, safety, and resilience.
Malaysia and the Ring of Fire. Where We Stand
Malaysia is situated outside the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an area known for frequent and powerful earthquakes. This geographical position means our seismic risk is significantly lower than in countries such as Japan, Indonesia, or the Philippines. However, Malaysia is not completely safe from earthquake effects. Tremors from neighbouring Indonesia have been felt in parts of Peninsular Malaysia, and in East Malaysia, especially Sabah, the proximity to tectonic fault lines increases the risk. While severe earthquakes are rare, the possibility of tremors highlights the importance of resilience in Malaysian construction.
Building Regulations in Malaysia: Are Earthquakes Considered?
Under current Malaysia building codes, including the Uniform Building By-Laws (UBBL), seismic building design is not mandated nationwide. For most everyday residential and commercial projects, earthquakes are not a primary consideration in the structural design process. However, in higher-risk regions such as Sabah, and in large-scale or high-rise projects, structural engineers may adopt seismic building standards and incorporate earthquake design Malaysia provisions into their work. This can include structural reinforcements and compliance with international codes, ensuring that critical facilities are better prepared to withstand potential tremors.
The Role of Quantity Surveyors
The role of the Quantity Surveyor in construction is fundamental to translating resilience from concept into practice. Unlike architects or engineers, Quantity Surveyors are not directly responsible for the physical design of structures, but their contribution is no less critical. They provide the financial stewardship that underpins every decision related to safety and compliance. By ensuring that budgets are rigorously planned and allocated, Quantity Surveyors make certain that projects can accommodate the necessary provisions for regulatory compliance, high-quality materials, and contingencies for unforeseen risks. This is particularly significant when seismic design features are considered. Engineers may recommend structural reinforcements or international seismic standards, but without a clear understanding of the cost implications, such measures risk being dismissed as impractical. The Quantity Surveyor bridges this gap by undertaking detailed cost analyses, lifecycle assessments, and value engineering to demonstrate how resilience can be achieved without undermining the financial feasibility of a project.
In this sense, the Quantity Surveyor transforms seismic resilience from an abstract engineering aspiration into a deliverable reality. Their expertise ensures that safety provisions are not compromised in the face of budget constraints and that resilience becomes an embedded feature of the project rather than an afterthought. This dual responsibility, safeguarding both the structural integrity of the built environment and the economic value of the project, highlights the strategic role Quantity Surveyors play. By acting as mediators between technical design requirements and financial realities, they ensure that resilience, including earthquake considerations where relevant, is not only a matter of engineering excellence but also one of economic sustainability. In doing so, Quantity Surveyors help guarantee that Malaysia’s built environment is both safe and viable, protecting communities while delivering long-term value.
Future of Seismic Resilience in Malaysia
Looking ahead, seismic resilience in Malaysia will become increasingly relevant. With rapid urbanisation, population growth, and the occasional tremors experienced from neighbouring regions, resilience is gaining more attention within the construction sector. Sustainable development is not only about green building design but also about planning for natural hazards. Quantity Surveyors contribute to this agenda through lifecycle costing, value management, and risk planning, ensuring that Malaysia’s built environment remains safe, efficient, and future-proof.
In conclusion, while earthquakes are not a dominant factor in most Malaysian building projects, seismic considerations are applied in Sabah and for critical or high-rise developments. Engineers are responsible for embedding structural safeguards, while Quantity Surveyors play a pivotal role in ensuring that project budgets, materials, and compliance strategies align with seismic safety requirements. At the University of Reading Malaysia, our BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying programme, accredited by four professional bodies, equips graduates with the skills to balance cost, compliance, and safety in line with Malaysia building codes and global best practices. By training future professionals to take on these challenges, we prepare them to contribute to safer, more resilient, and sustainable construction across Malaysia and beyond.
Interested in becoming part of the next generation of construction professionals? Explore our Quantity Surveying programme and learn how you can play a vital role in shaping the resilience of Malaysia’s built environment.
