MIRI: The sirens used in the tsunami early warning system in Pantai Luak here is no longer suitable, and should be replaced with a system that utilises the handphone’s short message service (SMS).
In developed countries which face the risk of tsunamis, sirens were no longer used, and any latest information on disasters were disseminated through SMS or social media.
Pujut assemblyman Dr Ting Tiong Choon said that these latest methods in spreading information was more cost efficient as compared to sirens which needed to undergo scheduled maintence.
“There are some sirens in early warning systems set up in several locations in the country which are not properly functioning. Some of these equipment are faulty due to negligence in maintenance. This does not occur in Miri,” he told the NSTP.
Dr Ting said people who live in areas which can be affected by tsunamis should receive SMS alerts before such disasters strike.
“When sirens are used, not all residents will hear it as there will be some residents who are away at work or in offices elsewhere.
“It will be difficult for them to be notified about natural disasters, and this will not give them time to save themselves. They will eventually be trapped,” he said.
He said Japan was among the Asian countries which have taken the lead in using latest methods in tsunami early warning systems.
He urged the government to come up with more suitable ways to give early warnings to people living in coastal areas which are are at risk of tsunamis, including in Sabah and Sarawak.
When asked about possibility that there might be faulty tsunami-detection equipment, he said such a thing should not occur in Sabah, which is exposed to the threat of tsunamis.
Meanwhile, Kampung Luak resident, Masilah Jumai, 45, said it was difficult to hear tsunami warning sirens in Luak beach as many homes were located far away from the beach.
She said the usage of SMS could be more effective and quick as compared to the sirens which were placed in locations that were far away from residential areas.
