The entire Serian Division in Sarawak has been placed under a disaster emergency after worsening haze pushed air pollution to hazardous levels, with the Air Pollutant Index (API) reaching 518.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) announced that the emergency declaration was made after receiving the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“This decision was made following advice from the Prime Minister and the Premier of Sarawak, as well as the relevant agencies, regarding the air quality levels in the affected area,” the PMO said in a statement.
The disaster emergency will enable federal authorities, led by the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), to coordinate and undertake necessary measures to safeguard public health and welfare as the haze situation deteriorates.
Air quality in Serian remained at hazardous levels this morning, with the monitoring station at the Serian District Police Headquarters recording an API reading of 518.
Under Malaysia’s API classification, readings above 300 are considered hazardous.
The haze has also severely affected other parts of Sarawak.
According to readings from the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), Kuching recorded a hazardous API reading of 310.
Two other locations were classified as having very unhealthy air quality, with Samarahan recording an API of 281 and Sri Aman at 245.
