DOE confirms haze movement, unhealthy API hits Serian, Kuching, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Bintulu

The Department of Environment (DOE) has confirmed that air quality in Sarawak has worsened, with five areas recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings. These areas are Serian (171), Kuching (154), Samarahan (154), Sri Aman (139), and Bintulu (124). Deputy Director-General (Development) Azuri Azizah Saedon attributed the deterioration to haze movement from various directions across the region.

Regional Haze Map data showed that dry weather conditions would persist over most of southern ASEAN, except for isolated showers in northern Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia. The ASMC report detected 643 hotspots in Kalimantan, 17 in Sumatra, and 25 in Malaysia, with many in West Kalimantan and scattered hotspots in other Kalimantan areas.

Several hotspots were also found in Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, southern and central Sumatra, and eastern Java. Moderate to dense smoke plumes moved into western Sarawak from West Kalimantan, while lighter plumes were observed over southern and central Sumatra and eastern Java. The DOE has intensified enforcement efforts and daily patrols in at-risk areas, activating the National Open Burning Action Plan and Haze Action Plan.

The National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) will activate the Disaster Management Committee if API readings exceed 150 for more than 24 hours, suspending outdoor activities when readings exceed 100, and closing schools, kindergartens, and nurseries if readings exceed 200. The public can access the latest API readings through the DOE's website or the MyJAS EQMS app.

Violations of open burning regulations can result in fines of up to RM1 million and imprisonment for up to five years. The DOE urges the public to cooperate in extinguishing small fires and report open burning or fires to the Fire and Rescue Department or the DOE's toll-free line at 1-800-88-2727.