- Sarawak's air quality has deteriorated to its worst since 2019, with the air pollutant index (API) exceeding 400 in some areas, particularly in Serian where it peaked at 476.
- On August 30, the API surpassed the hazardous threshold of 301 in Kuching, Samarahan, and Serian, prompting the cancellation of National Day celebrations in Kapit.
- As of August 31, three locations in Sarawak reported 'very unhealthy' API levels, defined as between 201 and 300, while Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah Embas warned of an emergency declaration if the API breaches 500.
- The ongoing haze, which began in mid-August, has led to a surge in respiratory illnesses, with 1,811 asthma cases reported between August 23 and 29.
- The API scale classifies anything above 300 as hazardous, with readings of 201-300 considered 'very unhealthy'.
- Malaysia has activated its National Open Burning Action Plan and National Haze Action Plan to address the fires and health risks from the smoke.
- The last haze emergency in Sarawak was declared in September 1997, when the API peaked at a hazardous 860.
Sarawak is facing its worst air quality crisis since 2019, with the Air Pollution Index (API) reaching hazardous levels above 400, particularly in Serian, which recorded a peak of 476. The situation is attributed to transboundary haze from Indonesian wildfires, exacerbated by local fires.
As of August 31, three locations in Sarawak logged API levels classified as “very unhealthy”, while 14 areas across Malaysia reported “unhealthy” levels. The API scale categorizes readings above 300 as hazardous, with the last haze emergency declared in Sarawak in 1997 when the API peaked at 860.568
In response, Malaysia has activated its National Open Burning Action Plan and National Haze Action Plan, mobilizing government agencies to combat the fires and mitigate health risks. Sarawak's Premier, Abang Johari Tun Openg, announced the cancellation of state-level National Day celebrations due to the haze.9
The ongoing haze has led to a surge in respiratory illnesses, with the Malaysian Health Ministry reporting 1,811 asthma cases between August 23 and 29, an eightfold increase from the previous week. State Disaster Management Committee chairman Douglas Uggah Embas indicated that if the API exceeds 500, an emergency declaration will be considered.
“The API in Serian hit 476 on Monday morning, the highest reading, while Kuching, Samarahan, and Sri Aman logged above 300. Malaysia has activated its National Open Burning Action Plan and National Haze Action Plan, and cloud-seeding is underway in affected areas.”
South China Morning Post
