TSUNAMI SITUATION UNDER CONTROL, SAYS NORTHERN STATE CM

PENANG (Malaysia), Oct 1 (Bernama) -- Northern state of Penang Chief
Minister Lim Guan Eng has urged the public not to panic as the state government
had activated its Emergency Response System (ERS) to monitor tsunamis even
though a tsunami alert had been withdrawn by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.


Lim said he had directed all relevant departments such as the police, Fire
and Rescue Department, district offices and local councils to be on standby.

"The state government has activated its machinery to be on stand-by to offer
immediate help and to ensure the safefy of all Penangites," he said here
Wednesday.

However, he said although the Tsunami alert had been withdrawn, the relevant
departments would still carry on with their regular patrols of the coastline.

Tremors from the magnitude 7.6 earthquake that hit west Sumatra at 6.16pm
Wednesday could be felt as far away as Jakarta, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

In Georgetown, many people were seen rushing out of their high-rise
buildings in Gurney Drive, Tanjung Tokong, Tanjung Bungah and Macallum Street
after they noticed vibrations in their buildings.
-- BERNAMA