Effect of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake on Malaysia

Malaysia was affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami on 26 December 2004. Despite its proximity to the epicentre of the earthquake, Malaysia escaped the level of damage that struck countries hundreds of miles further away. Since the epicentre was on the western coast of Sumatra, the island largely protected the country from the worst of the tsunami.^[1]

The wave crashing into the road at George Town, Penang

Tsunami

The areas hardest hit were the northern coastal regions and outlying islands, such as Penang and Langkawi. Wave heights near the shore were 2.5–3 m (8.2–9.8 ft) for Langkawi and 2–3 m (6.6–9.8 ft) for Penang, where wave runup heights reached 6–8 m (20–26 ft) in one location. In some areas of Malaysia, the tsunami surged 3 km (1.9 mi) inland.^[2] Houses in fishing villages along coastal areas, such as Batu Ferringhi and Balik Pulau in Penang, were damaged. Coastal areas in Peninsular Malaysia, including 13 villages in Kuala Muda, Kedah, and Kuala Triang in Langkawi island, were also affected. About a quarter of holiday vessels anchored in Rebak and Telaga harbours in Langkawi were damaged. The waves sent parked motorcycles crashing and left cars covered with mud along stretches of Gurney Drive in George Town, Penang. The greatest loss for a single family occurred when five of Zulkifli Mohamad Noor's seven children were killed when the tsunami struck at Pasir Panjang beach. Sinkholes reported in Kampar and Ipoh for three days were investigated and determined not to be earthquake-related.

Aftermath

Cars struck by the tsunami in Gurney Drive, George Town, Penang

The then-Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, cut short his holiday in Spain after five days of a diplomatic trip to India and returned to Malaysia. He instructed the government to cancel all New Year celebrations and urged all parties, including the private sector, to hold prayers and remembrance services instead. The government also postponed the deportation of illegal immigrants and extended an amnesty, allowing them to exit the country by 31 January 2005 instead of 31 December 2004. It was announced that MYR 1,000 (US$260) would be given to the families of victims, while MYR 200 (US$50) would be paid to those who sustained injuries from the tsunami. Displaced residents would receive MYR 200 to alleviate their hardship, MYR 2,000 for every damaged house, and MYR 5,000 for every destroyed house. Fishermen whose boats were lost would receive MYR 1,000 for smaller boats and MYR 3,000 for larger boats.^[3]

Death toll

The number of deaths currently stands at 67, with 52 in Penang, 12 in Kedah, 2 in Perak, and 1 in Selangor.^[1][4] The deaths in Penang included many picnickers and children who were playing on open public beaches. No deaths were reported among foreign tourists.