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Malaysia was affected by the2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami on 26 December 2004. Despite its proximity to the epicentre of the earthquake, Malaysia escaped the level of damage that struck countries hundreds of miles further away. Since the epicentre was on the western coast ofSumatra, the island largely protected the country from the worst of thetsunami.[1]
The areas hardest hit were the northern coastal regions and outlying islands, such asPenang andLangkawi. Wave heights near the shore were 2.5–3 m (8.2–9.8 ft) for Langkawi and 2–3 m (6.6–9.8 ft) for Penang, where wave runup heights reached 6–8 m (20–26 ft) in one location. In some areas of Malaysia, the tsunami surged 3 km (1.9 mi) inland.[2] Houses in fishing villages along coastal areas, such asBatu Ferringhi andBalik Pulau in Penang, were damaged. Coastal areas inPeninsular Malaysia, including 13 villages inKuala Muda, Kedah, and Kuala Triang in Langkawi island, were also affected. About a quarter of holiday vessels anchored in Rebak and Telaga harbours in Langkawi were damaged. The waves sent parked motorcycles crashing and left cars covered with mud along stretches ofGurney Drive inGeorge Town, Penang. The greatest loss for a single family occurred when five of Zulkifli Mohamad Noor's seven children were killed when the tsunami struck at Pasir Panjang beach.Sinkholes reported inKampar andIpoh for three days were investigated and determined not to be earthquake-related.
The then-Prime Minister,Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, cut short his holiday in Spain after five days of a diplomatic trip to India and returned to Malaysia. He instructed the government to cancel all New Year celebrations and urged all parties, including the private sector, to hold prayers and remembrance services instead. The government also postponed the deportation of illegal immigrants and extended an amnesty, allowing them to exit the country by 31 January 2005 instead of 31 December 2004. It was announced thatMYR 1,000 (US$260) would be given to the families of victims, while MYR 200 (US$50) would be paid to those who sustained injuries from the tsunami. Displaced residents would receive MYR 200 to alleviate their hardship, MYR 2,000 for every damaged house, and MYR 5,000 for every destroyed house. Fishermen whose boats were lost would receive MYR 1,000 for smaller boats and MYR 3,000 for larger boats.[3]
The number of deaths currently stands at 67, with 52 in Penang, 12 inKedah, 2 inPerak, and 1 inSelangor.[1][4] The deaths in Penang included many picnickers and children who were playing on open public beaches. No deaths were reported among foreign tourists.
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