Sarawak skies turn grey, DOE warns haze plumes from Kalimantan push API into danger zone

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16 — Three Sarawak districts reported unhealthy Air Pollutant Index readings, with the Serian IPD topping the list at 162, according to the Department of Environment (DOE). Deputy Director-General Azuri Azizah Saedon said the haze smoke from Kalimantan is responsible, with 65 other areas registering moderate air quality.

ASMC reported 132 hotspots in Kalimantan, 115 in Sumatra, and six in Malaysia on August 15. The Regional Haze Map shows hotspots dispersed across most of Kalimantan, while isolated hotspots appeared on Java, Lesser Sunda Islands, Sulawesi, and southern Sumatra. Moderate smoke plumes were observed over southern and western Kalimantan, while light plumes were detected in southern and central Sumatra.

The DOE has intensified enforcement and patrols in areas prone to open burning and activated the National Open Burning and Haze Action Plans. The public is advised to avoid open burning and report any incidents to the Fire and Rescue Department at 999 or the DOE at 1-800-88-2727.