Sarawak sedia isytihar darurat jika jerebu capai tahap kritikal

Sarawak is prepared to declare a state of emergency if air pollution caused by forest fires reaches a critical level, according to Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah Embas. The deputy premier stated that guidelines for managing such fires have been prepared. "If the Air Pollution Index (API) exceeds 500, guidelines already stipulate that public and private sector offices should close, with the exception of essential services, while awaiting a declaration of state of emergency by the National Disaster Management Committee," he said, as reported by The Borneo Post.

The committee is currently collaborating closely with relevant state and federal agencies. Uggah also noted that any decision on whether to proceed, postpone, or cancel an event remains under the discretion of the organizer, unless a special directive is issued by the authorities. "Public sentiment also has a role in deciding whether to attend or not," he added.

The Borneo Indigenous and Environment Institute warns that Sarawak may continue to face forest fires in the coming days if biomass burning outside state borders increases. State of emergency forest fires have been declared in Kuching in September 1997 when air pollution readings reached 650. Sarawak's Premier Abang Johari Openg had previously stated that the decision to cancel the state's National Day celebrations was made due to the severe fires affecting much of Sarawak. The celebrations were originally scheduled to take place in Kapit.