Malaysia: 3 spots identified for tsunami monitoring equipment

<>Three places in Malaysia have been identified as locations where tsunami-monitoring devices will be placed to help warn people of impending danger. Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis said one would be placed a few hundred km north of Langkawi while the other two would be at South China Sea and the Sulu Sea.

"We have to place the devices a few hundred kilometres away from land so that people would have at least 45 minutes to an hour to flee if a tsunami should occur."

"If the devices are too near, there'll be no time to run," he said, adding that the government was still finalising the exact locations with international bodies.

<> The minister said this to reporters after opening the Second International Hydrographic and Oceanographic Industry 2005 Conference and Exhibition (IHOCE) on Tuesday (Malaysia). He said talks were also going on between Malaysia and Indonesia to link earthquake alert information via satellite to ensure that the people get real time reports from both sides.

"Present there is a 15 minute delay because we have to get confirmation from our Indonesian counterparts when an earthquake happens."

"With direct connection from both sides, information will be available immediately and online for the public," he said.

(Source: The Star - Malaysia)