IPOH: Officials have confirmed that the loud noise which shook Ipoh yesterday was not caused by the Orionid meteor shower, despite claims on social media.
Director-general of the Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA), Azlikamil Napiah, confirmed that while meteor showers from comet debris do frequently occur, they typically pass through the Earth's atmosphere without causing any tremors or noise.
"If any meteor remnants reach the surface, they are usually small and rarely cause tremors. If they do land, there should be signs of debris and burning," he stated.
He was addressing social media claims linking the tremors to the Orionid meteor shower.
Residents reported feeling tremors lasting several seconds, followed by loud booming sounds in areas such as Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun (HRPB), Chemor, Stadium Perak, Meru Raya, Falim, and Gugusan Manjoi.
Tremors were also felt in Tanjung Rambutan, Klebang, Jelapang, Tambun, Silibin, and along the North-South Expressway (PLUS) near the Menora Tunnel.
Azlikamil reassured the public that authorities are monitoring large meteors that could pose a threat to Earth before they enter the atmosphere.
According to MYSA's website, the Orionid meteor shower, named for its origin in the Orion constellation, occurs each year when Earth passes through the orbit of Comet 1P/Halley (Halley's Comet), releasing comet dust that forms a trail of debris.
This shower runs from Oct 2 to Nov 7, with peaks expected to show about 10 to 20 meteors per hour.
Yesterday, Perak police chief Datuk Azizi Mat Aris denied that the events were caused by quarry explosions, security training, or seismic activity, as suggested on social media.
He said police are investigating and advised the public to remain calm and avoid speculation.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) also confirmed there were no military flights in Ipoh's airspace during the incident, ruling out the possibility of a sonic boom from an aircraft.