Haze: 10 Sarawak areas record unhealthy API readings, Serian highest at 196

Sarawak's air quality deteriorated significantly on Saturday, with 10 regions registering unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings due to smoke originating from Kalimantan, according to the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS). Serian topped the list with a reading of 191, followed closely by Kuching at 181, Samarahan at 178, Sri Aman at 174, and Sarikei at 171.

Sibu had an API of 160, while Samalaju, Bintulu, and Mukah each reported 156. Miri recorded an API of 151, and Bukit Rambai in Melaka was the sole other area outside Sarawak to register an unhealthy reading, at 140. The worsening air conditions came a day after 591 schools across 10 District Education Offices in Sarawak were compelled to close due to deteriorating haze.

The Department of Environment (DOE) attributed the worsening conditions to persistent dry weather across much of the southern ASEAN region, with hotspots detected in Kalimantan and isolated hotspots elsewhere in the southern ASEAN region. Moderate to dense transboundary smoke plumes were spotted over West Kalimantan and moving northwards into western Sarawak.

The DOE has intensified enforcement and daily patrols in high-risk areas and activated the National Open Burning Action Plan and National Haze Action Plan to coordinate the government's response to the open burning and worsening haze situation.