Sarawak ready to declare haze emergency at critical level

In Sarawak, Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah Embas has announced the state's readiness to declare an emergency should air pollution from smoke haze reach critical levels. This comes after state-level National Day celebrations had to be postponed due to the haze, as reported by the Borneo Post. Uggah, who heads the state disaster management committee, explained that guidelines are in place to address the haze.

If the air pollutant index exceeds 500, the guidelines state that government and private-sector offices and workplaces, excluding essential services, would need to close pending a disaster emergency declaration by the national committee on disaster management. The committee is collaborating closely with relevant state and federal agencies.

Uggah emphasized that decisions regarding event continuation, postponement, or cancellation are at the discretion of the respective organizers unless a specific directive is issued by the authorities. The public also has the discretion to decide whether to attend or participate. The Natural Resources and Environment Board predicts that Sarawak will likely continue to experience haze in the coming days if biomass burning increases outside the state's borders.

In September 1997, a haze emergency was declared in Kuching when air pollution readings reached 650. Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg previously stated that the decision to cancel the state-level National Day celebration was made due to the haze affecting large parts of the region. The celebration was originally scheduled to take place in Kapit.