What's happening around you
-
Serian air pollutant index drops to 287, five Sarawak locations remain very unhealthy
The Air Pollutant Index (API) reading in Serian, Sarawak, has dropped to 287 as of 1pm, still in the very unhealthy category. Five other locations in Sarawak also recorded very unhealthy readings, while 25 other areas nationwide recorded unhealthy readings.
-
Sarawak haze eases as Serian API drops from hazardous level
Air quality in Sarawak is improving, with no areas recording hazardous API readings as of 1.45pm. Serian, where an emergency was declared yesterday, saw its reading drop to 287, still in the 'very unhealthy' range. Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah said workplaces in Serian may operate with health precautions while the committee monitors the situation.
-
Sarawak PWD lifts construction suspension in Serian amid haze, with health precautions
The Sarawak Public Works Department has allowed construction work on its projects in Serian to resume, following a brief suspension due to hazardous haze. The decision, made today, aligns with the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee's latest advisory, permitting work to continue with strict health precautions. Serian's Air Pollutant Index was recorded at 334 on Friday, placing the area in the hazardous category.
-
Haze cuts takings for traders at Serian wet market
The worsening haze in Serian, Sarawak has significantly reduced customer traffic at the open-air Serian Wet Market, halving the daily takings of some traders. Sellers like Rosni Julaihi report sales have dropped from over RM500 to between RM200 and RM300 as shoppers avoid prolonged exposure to the polluted air.
- You saw it first Something happening near you? Post it. Road closed, night market moved, burst pipe, lost pet — share it nearby. Post something nearby →
-
Haze emergency empties Serian town as air quality stays hazardous
Serian town in Sarawak was unusually quiet as a state of emergency declared by the King over hazardous haze disrupted weekend life. The Air Pollutant Index remained in the hazardous range at 334, though it had dropped from above 500 the previous day. The emergency has led to the closure of 647 schools in Sarawak starting Monday.
-
Serian residents continue daily routines despite haze emergency declaration
Residents in Serian, Sarawak, are continuing their daily activities as usual despite a haze emergency being declared in the district. A survey found people going to town for business, while government and private offices are allowed to operate with precautions. The Air Pollutant Index reading in Serian at noon was 304, still in the hazardous category.
-
Serian Haze: Offices and Industries Can Operate with Health Measures
Sarawak Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah said offices, government agencies and private sectors affected by the haze emergency in Serian can continue operations provided they take health precautions. The Air Pollutant Index reading in Serian was 334 as of 10am, a hazardous level, with authorities monitoring the situation closely.
-
Indonesia steps up ASEAN haze coordination as fires spread; emergency in Sarawak's Serian
Indonesia says it is enhancing regional coordination through ASEAN mechanisms to address transboundary haze from forest and land fires spreading across Southeast Asia. The haze has led to a state of emergency in Serian, Sarawak, where the Air Pollution Index exceeded 500, while other areas in the state recorded hazardous or very unhealthy air quality.
-
Serian Air Pollutant Index drops to 390, still hazardous
The Air Pollutant Index (API) reading in Serian, Sarawak, dropped to 390 as of 7am, but remains in the hazardous category. Yesterday, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong declared a state of emergency for the entire Serian Division after readings exceeded 500. Three other locations in Sarawak recorded very unhealthy readings.
-
JAS raises air monitoring to highest level as Serian API hits 477
The Department of Environment (JAS) has stepped up air quality monitoring to the highest level after a state of emergency was declared in Serian, Sarawak, following an API reading of 477. Three other areas in Sarawak also recorded very unhealthy API levels, while 18 areas nationwide were unhealthy. JAS is strengthening its open burning prevention operations and will take strict action against sources of pollution.
-
Serian's API drops below 500 after haze emergency declared
Serian, Sarawak's air pollutant index reading has improved slightly after an emergency was declared due to hazardous haze, dropping from a peak of 521 to 488. The emergency declaration was announced by the Prime Minister's Office after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's consent. Other areas in Sarawak, including Kuching, Samarahan, and Sri Aman, also recorded very unhealthy air quality.
-
Indonesia sends 14,000 firefighters to battle Borneo wildfires as haze hits hazardous levels
Indonesia has deployed over 14,000 firefighters to combat wildfires in West Kalimantan, where air quality has reached hazardous levels. The haze has drifted to Malaysia, prompting an emergency declaration in Sarawak's Serian division and the closure of 647 schools.
-
Sarawak haze emergency not a lockdown, essential services to continue, says Uggah
Sarawak's disaster management chief, Douglas Uggah, clarified that the state's haze emergency declaration is not a COVID-19-style lockdown. The measure aims to keep people indoors for health reasons, with essential services like supermarkets, petrol stations, and banks remaining open. The declaration was proposed after the Air Pollutant Index in Serian exceeded 500, and will only affect affected areas, not the entire state.
-
N95 masks run out in Serian as haze persists, pharmacy and petrol station workers report high demand
In Serian, Sarawak, N95 face masks have sold out at a local pharmacy as residents cope with persistent haze. A pharmacy assistant said stock has been exhausted since last Saturday, with high demand for cough medicine, eye drops, and inhalers. A petrol station worker reported that staff are required to wear masks outdoors, and many motorists are also wearing them.
-
Sarawak's Serian under emergency as air pollutant index hits 515
A state of emergency has been declared in Sarawak's Serian district after its Air Pollutant Index reading exceeded 500, reaching 515 by 5pm on Friday. The Malaysian King consented to the declaration following advice from the prime minister and the Sarawak premier due to hazardous haze conditions. Serian, about 60km from Kuching, has been the worst-hit district, with other areas like Kuching, Samarahan, and Sri Aman also recording very unhealthy to hazardous readings.
-
Serian API exceeds 500, Sarawak awaits federal decision on haze emergency
Sarawak is waiting for the National Disaster Management Agency to decide on declaring a haze emergency in Serian after the Air Pollutant Index there surpassed 500, reaching 521. State Disaster Management Committee chairman Douglas Uggah said the proposal has been sent to the Prime Minister, and an emergency declaration would close non-essential workplaces in the affected area.
-
PM Anwar to discuss possible disaster emergency with Sarawak govt over Serian haze
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said further action, including declaring a disaster emergency, will be discussed with the Sarawak government after an Air Pollutant Index reading exceeded 500 in Serian. He has contacted Sarawak Premier Abang Johari to discuss the matter and assured that safety measures would be implemented if an emergency is declared. Air quality in Serian remained hazardous with an API reading of 518, while Kuching recorded 310.
-
PM: Serian office, school closures possible if emergency declared as API tops 500
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said further action following the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading exceeding 500 in Serian will be discussed with the Sarawak government. He has contacted Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg and assured that safety measures, including stopping office and school operations, will be taken if an emergency is declared. The API at the Serian police station reached 519, while Kuching recorded a hazardous reading of 310.
-
Serian's air quality hits hazardous 517, nearing emergency threshold
The air pollutant index (API) reading in Serian, Sarawak, reached a hazardous 517 as of 10.45am, surpassing the 500-mark that triggers a haze emergency declaration. Readings in nearby Kuching, Samarahan, and Sri Aman also remained at unhealthy to hazardous levels.
-
El Nino, dry conditions, haze expected to persist in stages until May next year - Expert
Experts warn that El Nino will prolong dry conditions and haze in stages until May next year, with fires expected to shift from Indonesia to northern Sarawak and Sabah. Current air quality readings show hazardous levels in Serian, Sarawak, and very unhealthy levels in Kuching, Sri Aman, and Samarahan.
-
Indonesia's cloud-seeding efforts to fight fires hit by lack of clouds; haze reaches hazardous levels in Sarawak
Indonesia's weather modification operations to combat forest fires are constrained by a lack of suitable clouds in Kalimantan and Sumatra. The resulting haze has severely impacted Sarawak, with Serian recording a hazardous API reading of 345, prompting the state to launch its own cloud-seeding operations.
-
Haze hits hazardous levels: What you need to know
Haze has pushed air pollution to hazardous levels in five locations in Sarawak, with Serian recording the highest API reading of 351. The article explains the health risks of PM2.5 particles and offers advice on protecting oneself, including avoiding outdoor activities and wearing N95 masks.
-
Sarawak haze could see API levels hit 800, says Wan Junaidi
Sarawak is experiencing severe transboundary haze from fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, with API readings reaching hazardous levels in Serian, Kuching, and other areas. The Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Wan Junaidi, warns that API levels could hit 800, recalling the 1997 crisis, and calls for Asean cooperation to address the issue.
-
Man jailed four years for sexually abusing teen girlfriend in Serian
A 21-year-old cook was sentenced to four years in prison by the Sessions Court in Kuching for sexually abusing his 16-year-old girlfriend in Serian. The offence occurred in September last year, and the sentence will take effect from his arrest date in March 2026.