Earthquake coming!: Malaysians could soon be receiving this alert on their mobile phones as the government mulls the possibility of warning the people of catastrophes via the short messaging system (SMS).

Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby today, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said the system can be hooked up to the Meteorological Department.

"The use of SMS (warning) will be forwarded to the Cabinet for discussions and approval.
"The government should have access to this. This is the responsibility of the government, not the responsibility of the wireless telephone networks," he added.

The SMS warning system has proven to be effective in Finland and it could work here as well since many Malaysians have mobile phones, said the minister.

Meanwhile, Nazri said a total of 1,525 people from Penang and Kedah were moved to safe places after a massive earthquake hit off Sumatra and tremors were felt as far as Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

He said the government, after being alerted by the Malaysian Control Centre, informed radio networks to spread and directed the police to also warn the public.

The public were also warned about the possibility of a tsunami occurring and advised stay away from beaches in Langkawi, Penang, Kedah, Perlis and Perak.

According to Nazri, the government is also in the process of establishing a tsunami detector centre expected to cost about RM19 million.

'Panic-based remark'

The minister also responded to Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang's comment today that state-owned television stations RTM 1 and RTM 2 had failed to report on the earthquake and its subsequent tremors, which sent thousands of Malaysians into panic.

"When an earthquake happens, what is important is the radio (in order) to listen for updates," said Nazri, adding that it is not necessary for local television networks to be operating around-the-clock.

He also described Lim's remark as an 'after-effect opinion' which was 'more panic-based than sanity'.

Earlier, the opposition leader found support from a Barisan Nasional parliamentarian who also wanted RTM 1 and RTM 2 to extend its broadcast hours in order to keep the public informed in such situations.

"It's (RTM) called the family channel or infotainment channel, but where is the information," quipped Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) when debating the motion on the royal address in Parliament.