What's happening around you
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Serian haze emergency lifted as API drops to 245
The emergency declaration in Serian division, Sarawak, was lifted on Sept 7 following an improvement in the haze situation. The Serian air quality monitoring station recorded an API of 245, which is in the very unhealthy category but has shown a downward trend over the past three days. Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah said the decision was made with the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
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Hua Shang pledges full financial backing for proposed Sarawak Chinese university
Hua Shang Economic Corporation (Sibu) Bhd has pledged full financial support for the establishment of a Sarawak Chinese Independent University should one be proposed in the future. Founder Tan Sri Datuk Tiong Su Kouk made the pledge at the opening of the corporation's new Wisma Hua Shang building in Kuching, which also marks its expansion from Sibu.
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First Women's Care Room for nurses launched at Sarawak General Hospital
The National Welfare Foundation (YKN) launched its first Women's Care Room at Sarawak General Hospital (HUS) in Kuching. The facility provides a comfortable rest area for female nurses, especially those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, officiated the facility, which is sponsored by Perinsuran Brokar Sdn. Bhd.
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Rubiah: E-sports can be a career path for youths, not just entertainment
Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang said e-sports can build talent and careers for youths, not just be for entertainment. She spoke at the E-Sports Reborn PUBG Mobile Competition 2026 in Kampung Asajaya Ulu, where 17 teams competed for prizes.
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Mambong parish annual sale draws strong support, raises funds for church projects
The St Augustine's Parish Mambong Annual Sale 2026 was held at the Kampung Mambong Community Hall in Kuching on Saturday. The event, officiated by Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, raised funds for the parish's development, including plans for a new vicarage and upgrading the parish office.
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Man arrested in Kuching for running unlicensed entertainment centre
Police in Kuching arrested a 53-year-old man for allegedly operating an entertainment centre without a valid licence. The arrest took place at the premises on Jalan Lapangan Terbang on Friday night, and music equipment was seized. The case is being investigated under the Entertainment Ordinance 2000.
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Sarawak extends cloud seeding to Sunday as Serian API improves but stays unhealthy
Sarawak has extended its cloud-seeding operations until Sunday to combat transboundary haze affecting the state. The Air Pollutant Index in Serian district showed an improving trend at 185, still in the unhealthy category, as monitoring continues before any emergency status recommendation.
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DoE monitors bush, peatland fires in Mukah and Daro amid Sarawak dry spell
The Department of Environment is closely monitoring bush and peatland fires near Jalan Sibujaya Barat in Mukah and Sungai Nai in Daro, Sarawak, amid a dry spell. While the fire in Mukah is mostly controlled, about 2.5 hectares are still burning in Daro. The DoE is also tracking air quality, with Kuching and Sri Aman recording very unhealthy API readings.
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Haze eases but Kuching, Sri Aman still at 'very unhealthy' API levels
Air quality in Sarawak is improving, but Kuching and Sri Aman remain in the 'very unhealthy' category as of 8am. No areas recorded 'hazardous' readings, while 35 locations, including Serian, were 'unhealthy'.
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Haze: 63 schools in Bintulu and Tatau closed until Sept 11
All 54 primary and nine secondary schools under the Bintulu and Tatau/Sebauh District Education Offices in Sarawak are closed until September 11 due to haze. The decision was made after the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading in Bintulu hit 206, a very unhealthy level. A total of 39,744 students are affected, and home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) will be implemented.
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Shin Yang buys RM34m industrial site in Kuching for logistics expansion
Shin Yang Group Bhd has agreed to acquire an 8.316-hectare industrial property at Pending Industrial Estate in Kuching, Sarawak, for RM34 million. The company plans to develop a warehouse and container depot on the site to expand its logistics operations and reduce its reliance on rented premises. The sale and purchase agreement with Forescom Plywood Sdn Bhd was signed on Sept 4, 2026.
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Woman hurt as 4WD and lorry collide on Serian-Kuching road
A 44-year-old woman was injured when the 4WD she was in collided with a lorry at Mile 18, Jalan Serian-Kuching on Friday morning. Firefighters from the Siburan station used hydraulic tools to free her before she was taken to hospital. The lorry driver was unhurt, and traffic was briefly slowed.
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Serian residents cope with haze as API drops to 334, schools closed
Life in Serian, Sarawak, continued largely as normal on Saturday despite a haze emergency declared a day earlier, with residents wearing face masks as a precaution. The Air Pollutant Index reading stood at 334 at 10am, down from over 500 the previous day, and N95 masks were in short supply at local pharmacies. Schools in the Serian district are temporarily closed from Sept 7 to 11, with home-based learning implemented, while farmers report that pepper saplings have died due to the dry spell.
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Serian rep urges more cloud seeding as haze emergency declared in division
Bukit Semuja assemblyman John Ilus has urged the government to conduct more frequent cloud seeding in Serian to combat the haze and dry spell affecting farmers. The call comes after the Prime Minister's Office declared an emergency for the entire Serian Division due to hazardous air pollution levels.
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Serian churches can hold services despite haze emergency, says Anglican bishop
The Anglican Bishop of Kuching, Danald Jute, said church services in Serian may continue despite the emergency declaration over hazardous air quality. He advised vulnerable parishioners to stay home and urged the community to wear N95 masks and limit outdoor exposure.
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Sarawak haze emergency raises fears for tourism and outdoor events
Sarawak's Serian Division is under a haze emergency after API readings exceeded 500, prompting concerns from the state's tourism minister about declining visitor numbers and the fate of upcoming outdoor events. The minister urged organisers to follow guidelines and prioritise public health, with Kuching also recording hazardous air quality.
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Kuching ready for national Malaysia Day celebration on Sept 16, says minister
Preparations for the national-level Malaysia Day celebration in Kuching are progressing well, according to state minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. The event will be held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching on Sept 16, featuring speeches by leaders and cultural performances, with an estimated 5,000 attendees expected.
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Cloud seeding in Sarawak to continue until Monday
Cloud seeding operations across Sarawak will continue until Monday to mitigate the haze problem. This follows the declaration of a state of emergency in the Serian division of Sarawak, where the Air Pollutant Index exceeded 500, although it has since dropped to 287.
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Sarawak Catholics in haze-hit areas excused from Sunday Mass
The Archbishop of Kuching has issued a dispensation excusing Catholics in areas with hazardous air quality from attending Sunday Mass due to the severe haze. The dispensation applies to the elderly, those with health conditions, and others unable to travel. Online Masses are available from St Joseph's Cathedral.
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JKR projects in Serian to continue despite haze emergency
The Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) has allowed its construction projects in Serian to continue operating despite a haze-induced state of emergency, subject to strict health precautions for workers. The decision follows the emergency declaration on Friday, with the Air Pollutant Index (API) in Serian fluctuating at very unhealthy levels.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.