Malaysia's earthquake risk outlook for the next decade is relatively stable, with low to moderate tremors expected, according to the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister. The country's location on the Sunda Shelf, away from the Pacific Ring of Fire, contributes to its relatively stable geological setting. However, this stability is not absolute, as Malaysia is still affected by tectonic stress from the interaction of major plates in the region. Based on continuous monitoring data, the risk level of earthquakes over the next 10 years is assessed to be within the low to moderate range, taking into account historical records, seismic activity patterns, and the country's tectonic setting. Sabah remains the region with the most active seismic activity, and the possibility of moderate to strong earthquakes remains present. In Peninsular Malaysia, while the risk of earthquakes cannot be entirely ruled out, empirical data analysis and past records indicate that any such events are not expected to exceed a magnitude of 6. However, small-scale tremors are expected to continue occurring sporadically as part of the natural process of tectonic energy release. This information will be utilized as a basis for risk assessment and national preparedness planning. In terms of long-term impacts on land surface structures, the effects of earthquakes occur cumulatively and involve changes to geological structures as well as landforms. Repeated seismic tremors have the potential to reactivate ancient fault lines, cause micro-structural changes in rock formations, and induce strain within the Earth’s crustal layers. From a geomorphological perspective, earthquake events may alter river morphology and permanently affect slope stability, as evidenced in the Ranau area following the 2015 earthquake.
