SECOND PHASE OF TSUNAMI EARLY WARNING SYSTEM TO BE IN PLACE BY NEXT YEAR

KOTA KINABALU (Malaysia), Oct 6 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is currently
enhancing its national tsunami early warning system through a second phase
expected to be
completed in 2009.

"Three additional seismic stations, 15 tide gauges, 14 coastal cameras and
10 warning sirens as well as implementing a more comprehensive operational
earthquake assessment system come under the second phase," said Sabah Resource
Development and Information Technology Minister Dr Yee Moh Chai.

He said this when opening the second international round-table dialogue on
earthquake and tsunami hazards and risks in Southeast Asia, South China Sea and
western Pacific marginal seas region here, Monday.
Kota Kinabalu, formerly known as Jesselton, is the capital of Sabah, a
state in East Malaysia.

Yee added the country had succeeded in completing the first
phase of the implementation of the system in 2007, which allowed Malaysia to
issue warning guidance to agencies dealing in disaster management, the public
and media within 15 minutes.

The first phase involved the installation of 14 seismic stations, six tide
gauges, four coastal cameras and 13 sirens.