People warned to stay alert against possible big quake on December 23

because Brazilian quake experts have predicted that a strong tremor will hit the province on December 23, 2007.

"We have warned the people to stay alert to face a major quake, although it has yet to be confirmed that the quake will strike," Bengkulu Administration secretary Hamsyir Lair said here on Monday.

Mamsyir said that in the wake of the 7.9 magnitude quake of September 12, 2007, and the big quake which may occur in December 2007, the provincial government continued familiarizing the population with measures in dealing with the disaster.

"Without the warning from Brazilian quake experts, we should exercise caution against the quake which could at any time hit a certain region although the magnitude is relatively small," he said.