Sarawak sedia isytihar darurat jika jerebu capai tahap kritikal

Sarawak is prepared to declare a state of emergency if air pollution caused by open burning reaches critical levels, following the cancellation of the National Day celebration in the state, said Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah Embas. Uggah, leading the state's disaster management committee, said guidelines for dealing with smoke have been prepared.

"If the air pollution index (API) exceeds 500, guidelines already exist for public and private sector offices to close, unless essential services are required, pending declaration of a state of emergency by the national disaster management committee," he said, according to The Borneo Post. The committee is cooperating closely with relevant state and federal agencies, he added.

Uggah also noted that any decision on whether to proceed, postpone or cancel an event remains under the discretion of the organizer, unless a specific directive is issued by the authorities. "The general public also has the discretion to decide whether they wish to participate or not," he added. According to the Institute of Traditional and Extract Medicinal Plants and Biodiversity, Sarawak may continue to face smoke pollution for several days if open burning outside the state border increases.

A state of emergency was declared in Kuching in September 1997 when air pollution readings reached 650. Earlier, Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg stated that the decision to cancel the National Day celebration in the state was made due to the severe smoke affecting much of Sarawak. The celebration was initially scheduled to take place in Kapit.