KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 — Sabah should be declared an earthquake-prone area, a PKR MP said today, noting that the east Malaysian state has experienced 15 earthquakes in the last 10 years, with the most recent disaster killing 18 Mount Kinabalu climbers.

Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar said although Ranau, where the 5.9-magnitude earthquake hit last Friday, has experienced nine earthquakes since 1989, there has been no effort by the federal government to mitigate future disasters.

“What’s shocking is that Sabah, albeit not being in the Pacific Ring of Fire, has recorded at least 15 other earthquakes in other areas.

“An official recognition of earthquake-prone zones will be the first step towards preparing affected areas and stakeholders by improving safety conditions and safety regulations,” Nurul Izzah said when met on the sidelines of a DAP-led programme seeking aid to help the Kelantan flood victims.

She went on to say that government buildings should implement regulations to allow it to withstand tremors and should be upgraded in accordance with these guidelines.

“As it currently stands, Malaysia does not have any standards or guidelines for making buildings, bridges and public transport quake-safe,” she said.

Nurul Izzah added that aside from earthquake-resilient buildings, search-and-rescue personnel should also be adequately trained to mitigate the loss of lives.

“Sufficient SAR training, including inter-level action between different authorities, not forgetting the police, fire and rescue department and medical personnel.

“As our hearts continue to go out to the victims and their grieving family members, let us remember that the level of preparedness mitigates risks of lives lost in any calamity,” she said.

This comes after a Malaysia-born Australian trekker who was among the 105 tourist climbers stranded at the mountain’s summit on Friday lashed out at Malaysia’s emergency response, calling it a “farce”.

In an interview with Australia’s ABC News, Vee Jin Dumlao alleged of shambolic organisation by local rescuers, whom she said idled and ate food meant for victims while the native guides did most of the rescuing.

She also claimed that some of those who died might have been saved if the rescue helicopters had been sent when weather cleared up on Friday evening.

The death toll from the 5.9-magnitude earthquake is now officially at 18, including six Malaysians, 10 Singaporeans and one Chinese and Japanese national each.

Most of the deaths were caused by blood trauma or injuries sustained from the impact with rubble from the earthquake.

The earthquake, some 16km northwest of the town of Ranau and in Kinabalu Park, is the largest to have hit Malaysia.