Four areas in Sarawak record 'hazardous' air quality; East Malaysian state prepares for possible haze emergency
Four districts in Sarawak, Malaysia, have recorded hazardous air quality levels due to transboundary haze from forest fires in Indonesia. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely as air quality continues to deteriorate across several Malaysian states.
Why it matters
Transboundary haze is a recurring environmental and public health crisis in Southeast Asia that impacts millions of people and regional economic activity.
Sarawak’s Serian district recorded the worst Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 475 at 9am on Monday (Aug 31). But moderate air quality in Putrajaya enabled Malaysia’s National Day celebration in the administrative capital to proceed as scheduled.
Hazy conditions around Kuching International Airport on Aug 29, 2026. (Photo: Facebook/Sarawak Edition)
KUALA LUMPUR: Four areas in Sarawak recorded “hazardous” air quality on Monday (Aug 31), the second day running that Malaysia has hit such levels as it continues to grapple with haze linked to forest fires in neighbouring Indonesia.
Air quality in the country began to reach hazardous levels over the weekend.
Sarawak’s Serian district recorded the worst Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 475 at 9am on Monday, followed by Samarahan at 334, Sri Aman at 330 and Kuching at 324.
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