PENANG, March 1 (Bernama) -- The government will deploy another tsunami buoy in the South China Sea, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili said.

He said the buoy, costing RM1 million, would be deployed in waters off Samporna and Sipadan to receive tsunami signal from the Pacific Ocean.

"Installation work of the buoy is expected to be ready in three months," he told reporters after opening a new office building for the Penang Chemistry Department here Monday.

Malaysia has installed three tsunami buoys - one in the Andaman Sea near Rondo Island in Indonesia, at the Terumbu Layang-Layang in the South China Sea and in Sulu Sea.

Ongkili also said that the government had withdrawn the tsunami alert warning, which was issued four days ago following the massive earthquake in Chile, this morning.

In another development, he said, the Chemistry Department had played its role as a professional and independent department in forensic research.

Although the government allowed the people to engage foreign experts in forensic cases, it was to get a second opinion, he added.