Serian: Serian in Sarawak has once again recorded very unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings due to the haze as of 5 pm today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal reported that the district recorded an API reading of 218. Eleven other areas registered unhealthy levels, with 10 in Sarawak and one in Johor, specifically Pasir Gudang which recorded an API of 109.

The areas in Sarawak with unhealthy readings were Samarahan at 186, Sri Aman at 184, Kuching at 180, Sarikei at 160, Samalaju at 158, Bintulu at 157, Sibu at 156, Mukah at 154, Miri at 152, and the Miri Industrial Training Institute at 136. Overall, 47 areas nationwide were reported at moderate levels, while nine recorded good readings.

An API reading of zero to 50 indicates good air quality, 51 to 100 is moderate, 101 to 200 is unhealthy, 201 to 300 is very unhealthy, and 301 and above is hazardous.

Meanwhile, Department of Environment (DOE) deputy director-general (Development) Azuri Azizah Saedon highlighted that yesterday's report by the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre recorded 66 hotspots in Kalimantan and 42 in Sumatra, Indonesia. These areas showed moderate to thick haze clusters; however, no hotspots were detected in Malaysia.

She mentioned that the DOE is focusing on fires in several areas in Sarawak and Johor, especially at peatland and landfill sites, given the increased risk of fire under hot and dry weather conditions. Fires in these areas could produce smoke and pollutant emissions that might impact local air quality if not controlled.

In Sarawak, approximately one hectare of a fire at the Selalang landfill in Sarikei, which spans 1.5 hectares, has been successfully extinguished, leaving 0.5 hectares still burning and being tackled. In Johor, the peatland fire around the Bukit Pelali Chinese Cemetery and Jalan Bypass Sebana Cove-Punggai in Kota Tinggi covered 17 hectares. As of today, 14.8 hectares had been put out, while the remaining 2.2 hectares were still being extinguished.

"The peatland fire in Kampung Sungai Buntu, Pengerang, Kota Tinggi, covering an area of 10.12 hectares, has been fully extinguished," Azuri Azizah stated, adding that DOE Sarawak and Johor would continue monitoring these locations both manually and with drones.

She emphasized that the department would enhance monitoring of open burning activities that risk affecting air quality and activate the National Haze Action Plan with relevant agencies to monitor and address the situation regularly.