CHONGQING: Malaysians living in Chengdu, in China's Sichuan province, which was hit by the 7.8-magnitude earthquake on Monday, are safe.

Malaysian Association of Sichuan chairman David Siow, who confirmed this, said he and his two children were staying put in the provincial capital although they were asked to evacuate from their home.

"I tried to call our members after the incident last night but could not get anyone as the phone lines were bad," he said, when contacted.

He said most of the Malaysians were working for big companies like UOB Bank and Unisem. There are also Malaysian businessmen doing business here.

"I don't think there are any Malaysians in Wenchuan," he said.

Siow, who is a food franchisee in Chengdu, said he felt the ground shaking while travelling in a taxi in Chengdu when the earthquake rocked the province at 2.28pm on Monday.

"Right now, there is an ambulance outside my home attending to people in the street. Not many shops are open today (yesterday) and last night everyone was sleeping outside as they were afraid for their safety," he said.

Yip Wee Wooa, another Malaysian, said: "My place is not affected as it is a new development area. I had just been informed by the management to come out of the building because the alarm went off again.

"We are outside the building at an open area at the moment," he said, adding that he, his wife and two children spent their night outside their home last night as their apartment unit was on the third floor.

He said he had not heard of any casualty cinvolving Malaysians. "I called my friends and sent SMS to my family and they got my message."

Lee Yong Peng, another Malaysian, was about to leave Chengdu for Ningbo on a personal matter but put off his plans due to the earthquake.

In KUALA LUMPUR, Wisma Putra confirmed that no Malaysian was killed or injured in the earthquake.

Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri advised those planning to travel within the region to postpone their trip temporarily.

"The region is still in a state of emergency and there could be aftershocks following the earthquake.

"But for those who must travel, I suggest they update themselves regularly with the latest information and keep in touch with the consular office in Kunming," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

There were some 200 to 300 Malaysians staying or visiting Sichuan, added Abdul Rahim.

For enquiries, call Wisma Putra at 03-8887 4000.