Effect of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake on Malaysia

Despite its proximity to the epicentre of the earthquake, Malaysia escaped the kind of damage that struck countries hundreds of miles further away.

The waves sent parked motorcycles crashing and cars washed with mud at stretches along Gurney Drive in George Town, Penang.

The biggest loss from a single family was when five of Zulkifli Mohamad Noor's seven children were killed when the tsunami struck at Pasir Panjang beach.

The then-Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, cut short his holiday in Spain after five days of the 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.