Malaysia declares air quality emergency as haze linked to Indonesia fires reaches critical level
Haze is a recurring seasonal problem in Southeast Asia, where smoke from forest and peat fires in Indonesia can travel across national borders and affect neighbouring Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore.
Malaysia has declared an air quality emergency in Serian, a small agricultural town in Sarawak state on Borneo Island. The Air Pollutant Index in Serian surged to 521, according to Malaysia's environment department. This reading is considered hazardous, with some sources reporting it as 515.
The emergency was declared by Malaysia's King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, allowing for more effective measures to be taken to address the issue. While details are limited, officials have indicated that a reading above 500 could lead to nonessential work and outdoor activities being halted. Schools are already closed when the index exceeds 200.
Haze in the region is a recurring seasonal problem, caused by smoke from forest and peat fires in Indonesia that can travel across national borders, affecting neighbouring Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore. Sarawak state has been particularly affected, with several areas experiencing hazardous air levels, including the capital Kuching, which recorded a reading of 311.
Brief written by urgent.news from Euronews, South China Morning Post, Associated Press, Channel News Asia — 4 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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