Sarawak: A total of six areas in Sarawak recorded Air Pollutant Index (API) readings at very unhealthy levels as of 1pm today, with Serian registering the highest reading of 287.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Director-General (Development) of the Department of Environment (DOE) Azuri Azizah Saedon stated that five other areas in the state reported very unhealthy readings, including Kuching (267), Sri Aman (251), Samarahan (242), Samalaju (202), and Bintulu (201). She highlighted that 25 areas recorded API readings at unhealthy levels across Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor, Pahang, Sabah, Labuan, Sarawak, and Selangor. Additionally, 26 areas experienced moderate air quality, while 11 areas maintained good levels.
Azuri Azizah explained that the situation has arisen due to persistent dry weather conditions in parts of the Southern ASEAN Region. She noted that a report from the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) yesterday identified 139 hotspots across Kalimantan, Sumatra (138), and Malaysia (16), with nine located in Sarawak, five in Sabah, and two in Terengganu.
ASMC also reported that moderate to thick haze was moving northeast from Kalimantan to several areas in Sarawak, Sabah, and Brunei. Moderate to thick smoke plumes were observed in North Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, and central and southern Sumatra, with moderate haze present in Singapore, the southern Peninsula, and eastern Java.
In response, Azuri Azizah mentioned that the DOE is enhancing monitoring and patrols in high-risk areas, including forests, peatlands, landfills, agricultural and plantation areas, and industrial zones that could potentially be sources of open burning. She emphasized that any identified sources of open burning or pollution would be investigated, and enforcement action would be taken in strict accordance with the DOE's legal provisions and jurisdiction.
The public is urged to report any fire or open burning incidents immediately to the Fire and Rescue Department via 999 or the DOE toll-free line 1-800-88-2727 to ensure prompt action. The latest API readings can be accessed through DOE's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) at apims.doe.gov.my or the MyJAS application.