Stay indoors or wear N95 masks if going out, Serian residents told

Residents of Serian, Sarawak, have been instructed to remain indoors or wear N95 masks when venturing outside due to hazardous air quality levels caused by smoke haze. This advisory comes after the declaration of a state of emergency in the district following days of smoke plumes drifting from Kalimantan into Sarawak, Sabah, and Brunei.

The Southeast Asia haze monitoring centre reported that many air quality stations in Borneo are recording unhealthy to hazardous conditions, while some in Sumatra, Singapore, and southern Peninsular Malaysia are showing unhealthy levels. Sarawak Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah Embas, who chairs the state disaster management committee, emphasized that the public should adhere to authorities' instructions, refrain from outdoor activities, and wear suitable face masks, such as N95 masks, to minimize exposure to the smoke.

Details about permissible activities, premises, and services during the emergency will be announced by the authorities in line with guidance from the National Disaster Management Agency. Officials urged residents not to panic and to seek updates exclusively through official channels.