‘Literally tasting the smoke’: Sarawakians suffer as haze worsens

KUCHING, September 1 — The air quality in Sarawak, Malaysia's easternmost state on Borneo, continued to deteriorate as smoke from Indonesian forest fires exacerbated respiratory issues and prompted residents to seek protective masks. Six districts within the state, including the capital Kuching, reported hazardous Air Pollutant Index (API) readings, with Kuching hitting 407.

The national guideline deems levels above 300 as hazardous, while figures exceeding 500 may trigger local emergency measures. Schools in Kuching had already closed two weeks prior, and the state faced a shortage of hazmat-rated masks. Ivana Mason, a 37-year-old resident, reported that five pharmacies ran out of respirators designed for fine particle filtration, with standard medical masks being the only remaining option — ineffective against fine haze particles.

Mason herself experienced a sore throat and worsening asthma, stating she could "literally taste the smoke in my mouth," forcing her to limit outdoor activities. Local pharmacist Dawi Bakri noted a surge in mask sales since the haze intensified, making it challenging to maintain adequate supplies. Md Khairulanwar Asri, an occupational therapist at Sarawak Heart Centre, cautioned that poor air quality could adversely affect individuals with pre-existing heart or respiratory conditions, as well as the elderly with multiple health issues.

Symptoms could include coughing, throat and eye irritation, and shortness of breath, potentially impairing daily activities. Sarawak authorities hinted at initiating cloud-seeding operations as early as Thursday if weather conditions permit, in an effort to mitigate the haze.