Serian kembali catat IPU ke paras sangat tak sihat

Serian region in Sarawak has once again recorded air pollution index (IPU) at a highly unhealthy level due to evening smog. The Sistem Pengurusan Indeks Pencemar Udara Malaysia (APIMS) portal reports an IPU reading of 218 for the area, while 11 other regions recorded unhealthy conditions, including 10 in Sarawak and one in Johor – Pasir Gudang.

In Sarawak, the unhealthy levels were observed in Samarahan (186), Sri Aman (184), Kuching (180), Sarikei (160), Samalaju (158), Bintulu (157), Sibu (156), Mukah (154), Miri (152), and Industrial Training Institute Miri (136). Overall, 47 regions across the country are reported to be in the good category, while nine reported moderate levels.

The IPU scale ranges from 0-50 (good), 51-100 (moderate), 101-200 (unhealthy), 201-300 (very unhealthy), and 301+ (hazardous). Azuri Azizah Saedon, Deputy Director-General (Development) at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, mentioned that according to the latest ASMC report, 66 hotspots were recorded in Kalimantan and 42 in Sumatera, Indonesia, along with smoky haze in both regions, but no hotspots were detected in Malaysia.

Azuri highlighted that the Ministry will monitor fire incidents in several Sarawak and Johor areas, particularly in areas with dry leaves and waste dump sites, due to the higher fire risk during hot and dry weather. In Sarawak, the Selalang Waste Dump Site fire in Sarikei, involving 1.5 hectares and reduced to 0.5 hectares (67% contained) so far, while 2.2 hectares (87%) of the Tanah Perkuburan Cina Bukit Pelali and Jalan Bypass Sebana Cove–Punggai, Kota Tinggi forest fire, have been contained, leaving 2.2 hectares still burning under control.

In Johor, the Tanah Gambut fire around Cina Bukit Pelali and Bypass Sebana Cove–Punggai, Kota Tinggi, involving 17 hectares, and 14.8 hectares (87%) contained, while 2.2 hectares remain under control. Azuri added that Sarawak and Johor Ministries will continue monitoring fire sites, including using drones.