Malaysia declares emergency in Sarawak as haze from Indonesia worsens
Malaysia cancelled a state of emergency in Sarawak on Monday, although officials warn that very unhealthy air pollution levels persist. The crisis stems from forest fires in Indonesia's Kalimantan and Sumatera regions, which have blanketed Sarawak, Sabah, and parts of Peninsular Malaysia in toxic haze. Only two of 68 nationwide air pollution index stations, located in Kangar and Langkawi, reported good air quality on Monday morning. Schools in Sarawak have closed as a result of the pollution, with some districts shifting to online learning.
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- ✓ Malaysia cancelled a haze emergency in Sarawak on Monday.
- ✓ Forest fires in Kalimantan and Sumatera are causing transboundary haze in Malaysia.
- ✓ Air pollution index levels remain very unhealthy in Sarawak.
- ✓ Wildfires in Sumatra and Kalimantan have been active for weeks.
What changed
Malaysia officially called off the haze emergency in Sarawak on Monday.
Live updates
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Malaysia ends Sarawak haze emergency as air quality remains unhealthy
Malaysia cancelled a state of emergency in Sarawak on Monday, although officials warn that very unhealthy air pollution levels persist. The crisis stems from forest fires in Indonesia's Kalimantan and Sumatera regions, which have blanketed Sarawak, Sabah, and parts of Peninsular Malaysia in toxic haze. Only two of 68 nationwide air pollution index stations, located in Kangar and Langkawi, reported good air quality on Monday morning. Schools in Sarawak have closed as a result of the pollution, with some districts shifting to online learning.
Why it matters
A severe dry season and a super El Nino fueled the Indonesian wildfires. This event marks the worst haze since 2019 and has caused an eightfold increase in asthma cases.
What is confirmed
- Malaysia cancelled a haze emergency in Sarawak on Monday.
- Forest fires in Kalimantan and Sumatera are causing transboundary haze in Malaysia.
- Air pollution index levels remain very unhealthy in Sarawak.
- Wildfires in Sumatra and Kalimantan have been active for weeks.
Still unconfirmed
- Only Kangar and Langkawi stations recorded good air quality on Monday morning.
- Asthma cases have increased eightfold.
- 710 schools statewide in Sarawak have closed.
What to watch next
- Air quality readings at the 68 nationwide API stations
- School reopening dates in Bintulu, Tatau, and Sebauh after September 11
- Updates on wildfire containment in Kalimantan and Sumatera
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (4)
- www.malaysiakini.com — Haze: Only Kangar, Langkawi stations show good air quality; S'wak unhealthy
- www.yahoo.com — If only I’d been listened to on Mohamed Fayed
- thediplomat.com — Schools Close Across Sarawak Due to Toxic Haze From Indonesian Wildfires
- www.yahoo.com — Malaysia cancels haze emergency, but warns problems remain
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Malaysia declares emergency in Serian as Indonesian haze worsens
Malaysia has declared a state of emergency in the Serian district of Sarawak after the air pollutant index exceeded 500. The emergency follows worsening transboundary haze from wildfires in Indonesia, which are being fueled by a super El Niño. The air quality crisis has forced the closure of 710 schools statewide, including 63 in Bintulu, Tatau, and Sebauh, with Bintulu schools shifting to online learning until September 11. Health officials report an eightfold jump in asthma cases as residents grapple with the worst haze since 2019.
Why it matters
The haze originates from raging fires on the island of Borneo that crews have fought for three months. This environmental crisis impacts regional health and agriculture, prompting the government to deploy cloud seeding to combat a dry spell and falling water levels.
What is confirmed
- Malaysia declared a state of emergency in the Serian district of Sarawak.
- The air pollutant index in Serian exceeded 500.
- Haze has caused the closure of 710 schools statewide.
- Schools in Bintulu are closed and moving to online learning until September 11.
- The haze is caused by transboundary smoke from wildfires in Indonesia.
- Bintulu schools closed after the air pollutant index passed 200.
- Residents are experiencing the worst haze since 2019.
Still unconfirmed
- Asthma cases have jumped eightfold due to haze-linked health problems.
- Water levels at Batang Ai Dam have hit Emergency Level 3.
- Four areas in Sarawak have exited the very unhealthy air quality tier while five remain.
What to watch next
- Updates on school reopenings in Bintulu after September 11
- Results of continued cloud seeding efforts announced by DPM Zahid
- Changes in the air pollutant index in Serian following the emergency declaration
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (22)
- AP News — Malaysia declares emergency in Sarawak town as haze reaches critical level
- CNA — Malaysia declares state of emergency in Sarawak’s Serian after air pollutant index exceeds 500
- Reuters — Malaysia declares emergency in Serian district in Sarawak state due to haze
- Al Jazeera — Malaysia declares emergency in Sarawak as haze from Indonesia worsens
- NST Online — Haze-linked health problems on the rise, asthma cases jump eightfold
- theborneopost.com — Bukit Semuja rep urges more cloud seeding as haze, dry spell affect farmers in Serian
- Goshen News — AP Trending SummaryBrief at 9:28 a.m. EDT
- Free Malaysia Today — Schools in two Bintulu districts closed due to haze
- NST Online — Haze shuts 63 schools in Bintulu, Tatau and Sebauh
- The Star — Serian folk brave severe haze to make a living
- Malay Mail — Serian town unusually quiet amid thick haze and emergency declaration
- The Star — Haze: All schools in Bintulu closed until Sept 11
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