KUALA LUMPUR, 23 February 2026 – A powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sabah on Monday, shaking eastern Malaysia and prompting alerts from authorities, but the national weather and geophysical agency confirmed there is no imminent tsunami threat following the seismic event.
According to Malaysia Meteorological Department (MET Malaysia), the quake occurred in offshore waters near Sabah’s eastern seaboard, and while it registered as a strong tremor felt locally, subsequent monitoring shows no tsunami risk to Malaysian shores.
Details of the Earthquake
- Date & Time: Monday, 23 February 2026, (local time)
- Magnitude: 6.8 on the Richter scale
- Location: Waters off eastern Sabah
- Depth: Deep enough that no significant sea wave disturbances were detected
MET Malaysia’s earthquake unit emphasised that seismic activity in this part of the region is not uncommon due to tectonic dynamics in the broader Southeast Asian area. Despite the strength of the quake, early data indicated that it did not trigger displacement of large volumes of water sufficient to generate dangerous tsunami waves.
No Tsunami Threat — Public Reassured
In its advisory, MET Malaysia said that tsunami monitoring stations across the country and the wider region did not record abnormal sea-level changes following the event, affirming that there is no need for public evacuation at this time.
However, the agency urged residents in Sabah and neighbouring regions to remain cautious and stay tuned to official updates, especially as aftershocks, which can follow large earthquake events, may occur.
Tremors Felt Across East Malaysia
Reports from local media and social media platforms indicated that the quake’s tremors were felt in parts of eastern Sabah, including in coastal towns. Some residents described brief shaking of buildings and ground, but there were no immediate reports of significant structural damage or serious injuries.
State and district authorities in Sabah have been monitoring the situation and coordinating with national disaster management agencies to assess any localised impacts.
Regional Seismic Activity Context
Malaysia is not on the edge of a major tectonic plate, meaning large destructive earthquakes are relatively rare compared with some of its neighbours like Indonesia. However, seismic movements do occur, particularly in eastern regions close to plate boundaries in the Celebes Sea and Sulawesi fault zones.
Experts say that offshore quakes of this magnitude can still be felt by communities on land but do not always pose severe tsunami risks, especially when the focus is deep beneath the seabed.
Preparedness and Safety Measures
Authorities remind the public that routine earthquake preparedness measures remain important, including:
- Knowing safe spots in buildings (e.g., under sturdy furniture)
- Staying away from glass windows during tremors
- Following official guidance from MET Malaysia and disaster agencies
Residents are advised to rely on verified updates from official sources rather than social media speculation, particularly in the immediate aftermath of seismic events.
