What's happening around you
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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.
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Sheda Institute, Curtin Malaysia sign MoU on talent, research, BIM adoption
The Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (Sheda) Institute and Curtin University Malaysia have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on talent development, research, and technology adoption in Sarawak's real estate and construction sectors. The MoU was exchanged at the Sheda Property Expo 2026 in Kuching, witnessed by Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian.
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Public briefing on Sarawak electoral boundary review set for Sept 8 in Kuching
Rise of Social Efforts (ROSE) will hold a public briefing on the Sarawak electoral boundary review on Tuesday, Sept 8, at Pua Kumbu, Lot 10 Boutique Hotel in Kuching. Election Commission commissioner Dr Mohd Faisal Syam Abdul Hazis and EC Sarawak director Abang Noraffian Abang Ibrahim will explain the process and answer questions.
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Sheda proposes developer rating system, changes to Sarawak housing laws
The Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers' Association (Sheda) proposed a performance rating system for developers at its property expo in Kuching. The association also called for amendments to state housing laws and an expansion of a housing deposit assistance scheme. Sheda president Augustine Wong said a single delayed project should not stigmatize a developer.
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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.
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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.
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Deputy minister urges Sarawak youth to seize leadership opportunities
Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development, Datuk Rubiah Wang, encouraged Sarawak's youth to step forward and take a more active role in leadership. She spoke at the closing ceremony of the Sarawak State Leadership Skills Course at the Rural Development Institute (INFRA) Auditorium in Kota Samarahan. The course was attended by 34 participants from higher education institutions around Kuching and Samarahan as well as registered youth clubs.
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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.
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MBKS plans new drains to curb flash floods in Kuching city centre
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) is stepping up efforts to address recurring flash floods in Kuching city centre, particularly along Jalan Padungan, Jalan Chan Chin Ann and Jalan Abell. Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said the proposed mitigation works include building about 200 metres of additional reinforced concrete box drain to improve drainage capacity. The project will proceed to tender once plans are finalised.
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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.
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Sarawak deputy premier warns of housing surplus as birth rate declines
At the SHEDA Property Expo 2026 in Kuching, Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian said Sarawak's declining birth rate will reshape its housing market, with over 700,000 homes against roughly 600,000 households. He urged industry stakeholders to adapt to demographic realities and cautioned against mass immigration as a solution.
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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.
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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.
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Sarawak to mandate 10pc green space in new developments, says Premier
Sarawak Premier Abang Johari announced that new developments in the state must set aside at least 10 percent of their area for green spaces. The policy, part of the Sarawak Sustainability Blueprint, also includes greener standards for government projects, such as using BIM for projects over RM10 million and targeting 70 percent IBS utilisation. The announcement was made at the Sheda Property Expo 2026 in Kuching.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Elderly man in Kuching loses RM161,400 to fake tender scam
A 62-year-old man in Kuching lost RM161,400 after falling for a fake tender offer to supply goods to the JPSPN Sri Aman branch. He made four money transfers to two different bank accounts between 11 and 19 August before realizing he was scammed. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
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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.
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Shin Yang buys Kuching industrial site for RM34m from related firm
Shin Yang Group Bhd has agreed to acquire a 20.55-acre leasehold industrial property in Kuching, Sarawak, for RM34 million from Forescom Plywood Sdn Bhd. The related-party transaction is intended to support the expansion of Shin Yang's logistics operations. The acquisition is expected to be funded through bank financing and internal funds.
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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.
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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.
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Abang Johari: Young Sarawak engineers must prepare for AI-driven future
Sarawak Premier Abang Johari told young engineers at the FEIAP 2026 General Assembly in Kuching to prepare for a future shaped by AI, humanoid robots and other emerging technologies. He urged them to anticipate challenges and develop solutions in areas like education, healthcare and infrastructure.
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Stroke leaves family struggling for survival
A family in Kampung Engkeroh, Serian, Sarawak, is receiving aid from Hope Place Kuching after the sole breadwinner, Stanley Sandoi, suffered a debilitating stroke. The family struggles financially as Stanley requires care and his eldest daughter, who is disabled, is the only current income earner. Hope Place provides food and adult diapers, and Stanley's social welfare aid application has been approved.