Sabah has been hit by another earthquake this morning, eight days after the first incident claimed 18 lives.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department reported on its Facebook page that the earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale occurred at 2.29am local time, 25km off Kota Belud.

Tremors were felt in Ranau, Kudat, Beluran, Kota Marudu, Kota Belud, Keningau and Kinabatangan.

The social media is abuzz with postings from terrified citizens and concerned netizens.

In the previous earthquake, measuring 6.0, several Singaporean students were also killed on Mount Kinabalu.

More than 130 people who were climbing the mountain were left stranded, but were subsequently rescued.

A moderate earthquake has occurred at 02:29am on 13/06/15, 6.2N 116.5E with magnitude 5.1 depth 10km, Ranau, Sabah. 25km...

Posted by Malaysian Meteorological Department on Friday, 12 June 2015

In Ranau, several residents, who were met by Bernama this morning, said they felt the tremors early today and some of them left their house to safer ground.

One of them, Juari Amin, 53, an assistant manager at Restoran Cottage Hotel, said he left his house to avoid any untoward incident.

Mohd Rizua Matree, 26, an employee at the hotel, said tremors in Kundasang were normal, but what he felt this morning was stronger and it lasted for a few seconds.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Najib Razak ordered all government agencies to take the necessary action.

"I received news of an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1 on the Richter scale which hit Ranau, Sabah, this morning.

"The relevant government agencies and assets must be mobilised to take all needed action," he said in his latest postings on his Facebook and Twitter sites today.