Malaysia Declares Emergency in Sarawak After Haze Pollution Reaches Hazardous Levels
Air pollution index in Serian passes critical threshold of 500, prompting emergency activation.
Quick Look
Malaysia activated a local emergency in Sarawak after air pollution in Serian surpassed the critical threshold of 500 due to severe haze, prompting health warnings and monitoring by federal and state governments.
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Why It Matters
Air pollution index levels above 300 are classified as hazardous in Malaysia, while readings beyond 500 trigger a local emergency.
Kuala Lumpur on Friday activated the emergency after obtaining royal consent when pollution levels reached critical levels in Serian, about 65 kilometres (40 miles) south of the Sarawak capital, Kuching.
“The haze situation in Sarawak has not yet fully recovered, and the air pollution index (API) reading in several areas ... particularly Serian and Samarahan districts, is still at very unhealthy levels,” it said in a statement.
The federal government and the Sarawak state government will continue to closely monitor the situation, and residents in affected areas are advised to limit outdoor activities and to always comply with instructions from the authorities,” it said.
API figures in Serian passed the critical threshold of 500 on Friday, peaking at 519 with the town cloaked in a thick cloud of smoke.
Under Malaysian guidelines, API levels above 300 are classified as hazardous, while readings beyond 500 constitute the threshold for declaring a local emergency.
Open Questions
- What is the exact source of the haze?
- How long will the emergency measures remain in place?
