KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 2026 — His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has consented to the declaration of an emergency throughout Sarawak’s Serian Division after worsening haze pushed air pollution to levels hazardous to public health and safety.
The Prime Minister’s Office said the decision was made after considering advice from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and relevant agencies on air quality in the area.
The declaration will allow more effective measures to be taken to protect the health and welfare of affected residents.
“The government will continue to monitor developments and ensure all necessary measures are implemented promptly, including mitigation efforts and the dissemination of information and health advice to the public,” the PMO said in a statement today.
Anwar had earlier said further action, including declaring a disaster emergency, would be discussed with the Sarawak government after the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading in Serian exceeded 500.
The Prime Minister said he had been in contact with Abang Johari over the past two days to discuss the haze crisis.
As of 4 pm today, air quality in Serian remained at hazardous levels, with the monitoring station at the Serian District Police Headquarters recording an API reading of 514.
According to the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), Kuching was also at the hazardous level with a reading of 313, while Samarahan and Sri Aman recorded very unhealthy readings of 288 and 239, respectively.
An API reading of 0 to 50 indicates good air quality; 51 to 100, moderate; 101 to 200, unhealthy; 201 to 300, very unhealthy; and 301 and above, hazardous.
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