The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said the quake occurred 5km west of Segamat at a depth of 10km.

According to the  New Straits Times, tremors were felt across several states in the peninsula, including many areas of Johor, as well as parts of Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and southern Pahang.

The Johor government urged the public to stay away from unsafe structures and remain alert to instructions from the authorities, Bernama reported.

Menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi said he had contacted Segamat district officer Ezzuddin Sanusi, who confirmed that no casualties or property damage had been reported so far.

“The state government is monitoring the situation with the relevant agencies. My advice to the people is to avoid weak structures and always heed instructions from the authorities.

“(MetMalaysia) will continue to carry out close monitoring and provide updates from time to time,” he said in a Facebook post.

The earthquake caused panic among Segamat residents, particularly those in the midst of their daily routines, Bernama reported.

Nur Hafiz Mukmin, 32, who lives in Jalan Tasek Alai, said he felt his house shaking at around 6.13am while he was getting ready for work.

“I thought the house was about to collapse. I panicked and quickly got my wife and child out of the house. A neighbour then said it might have been an earthquake,” he was quoted as saying.

He said the situation calmed down after a few seconds but his child was still too frightened to re-enter the house.

Housewife Normala Mohamed, 66, who lives in Kampung Jabi, was performing her morning prayers when the glass panels in her house shook violently.

“I rushed straight to the kitchen, worried that something had happened. Thankfully, there was no damage to the house, but the tremors were completely unexpected,” she said.

Meanwhile, nasi lemak seller Siti Rubiah Yasin, 52, said the quake disrupted her morning routine.

“At the time, my husband and I were in the kitchen when several dishes placed on the table in front of the house fell,” the Batu Anam resident told Bernama.

While upset that some of the prepared dishes went to waste, she was thankful no one was hurt and no serious damage occurred.