Serian air quality improves after emergency declaration

Serian, a town in Sarawak, experienced an improvement in air quality following an emergency declaration yesterday. The air pollutant index (API) reading had reached a hazardous level of 512, but this morning it had dropped to 334. Three other areas in Sarawak, namely Kuching, Samarahan, and Sri Aman, recorded "very unhealthy" API readings, while nine areas had "unhealthy" readings.

In Johor, eight areas had "unhealthy" readings, and in Sabah, three areas had the same. Labuan, Johan Setia in Selangor, Bukit Rambai, and Alor Gajah in Melaka, among others, also had "unhealthy" API readings. The environment department's API Management System portal provided these details. Emergency measures were taken, including the closure of 647 primary and secondary schools in Sarawak from September 7 to 11, with home-based teaching and learning to be conducted.

The decision was made following the declaration of emergency by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, and was approved by the Sarawak education department. Meanwhile, Indonesia is working with neighboring countries and using Asean mechanisms to address transboundary haze, as reported by Bernama from Jakarta.