GEORGE TOWN, MALAYSIA - Having learnt from the devastation of the 2004 tsunami, beach hotels in Batu Ferringhi were quick to act this time around when the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued an alert following the earthquake in Sumatra.

A Golden Sands Resort resort spokeman said they had put staff members on standby to be on the lookout for tidal waves.

They also discouraged guests from going to the beach.

However, they did not need to set the plan into action as the alert was cancelled later.

Fishermen in Balik Pulau were also seen using bigger ropes to tie their boats to pillars or huge tree trunks for fear that the boats might be swept away if tidal waves hit the shore.

It was however business as usual at Gurney Drive with locals enjoying the sea breeze or taking an evening stroll at the popular seafront promenade.

Penang state secretary Datuk Zainal Rahim Seman said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was concerned about the initial tsunami alert.

"The state directed all relevant departments to be on standby," he said.

Penang police chief Deputy Comm Wira Ayub Yaakob said policemen were deployed to monitor the situation.

A Penang Bridge official said the bridge was not affected.

"We also did not receive any directives to close the bridge," he said.

--The Star/ANN