Johor grappled with unexpected earthquakes and severe river pollution in 2025, prompting government action and testing disaster preparedness.
JOHOR BAHRU: A series of unexpected natural and environmental incidents tested Johor’s disaster preparedness throughout 2025.
The state, previously considered a quake-free zone, experienced a series of tremors in Segamat and Batu Pahat between late August and November.
A 4.1-magnitude earthquake struck Segamat on August 24, followed by a smaller tremor and nine other minor seismic events.
The Minerals and Geoscience Department Malaysia confirmed the tremors were linked to ancient volcanic activity in a Tertiary volcanic zone.
By September, minor damage to 15 government buildings required at least RM550,000 in repairs.
The Federal Government later approved RM3 million to build two additional seismological stations in Johor.
In October, severe pollution in Sungai Johor caused unscheduled water disruptions in four districts.
The incident affected approximately 1.17 million residents in Kota Tinggi, Johor Bahru, Kulai and Pontian.
The Johor Department of Environment said the sludge-like pollution came from a burst sediment pond at a sand-mining company.
Raw water turbidity levels surged to 37,400 Nephelometric Turbidity Units, far above the normal 400 NTU level.
More than 150 fishermen and Orang Asli communities were impacted by the pollution event.
Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced a 15% rebate on October water bills for 292,158 affected accounts.
Onn Hafiz apologised to residents and stressed those responsible would face appropriate action.
