Northern Region News April 29, 2012 18:16 PM Penang Residents Told To Be Prepared For Tsunami BATU FERINGGHI, April 29 (Bernama) -- Penang will be exposed to strong quakes and tsunami threat, in the event of a strong earthquake occurring in neighbouring countries. Malaysian Meteorological Department director-general Datuk Dr Yap Kok Seng disclosed that an earthquake in the seabed of the Andaman Islands, Nicobar and waters off North Sumatra could trigger a tsunami in the state. "The tsunami could come in about three hours and 20 minutes, accompanied by four-metre high waves. "Even though Malaysia is located outside the Pacific Ring of Fire, the country is not free from earthquake threats as our country is surrounded by sea," he said. Yap was speaking to reporters after addressing a training exercise organised by the department with the National Security Council here today. He said the exercise was aimed at testing the communications system, as well as evaluating the agency's coordination in managing disaster, besides raising public awareness and providing experience to local residents on how to save themselves. He said the department would be installing warning sirens at high-risk locations such as Tanjung Bungah, Teluk Bahang, Batu Feringghi, Pasir Panjang, Kampung Nelayan and Kampung Kuala Sungai Muda. He said the warning alert through a Fixed Lined Alert System, with the cooperation of Telekom, would contact all houses and offices with fixed line within three kilometers from the beach. -- BERNAMA