News near Voco Kuching By Ihg Kuching Sarawak
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Haze emergency declared in Serian, Sarawak as API hits dangerous 477
A haze emergency has been declared in Serian, Sarawak after the Air Pollutant Index (API) reached a dangerous level of 477. The Department of Environment (DOE) will step up monitoring and enforcement, including operations to prevent open burning. Several other areas in Sarawak also recorded very unhealthy API readings.
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AirAsia may cancel flights in Sarawak, West Kalimantan due to haze
AirAsia issued a travel advisory stating some of its flights to East Malaysia and West Kalimantan may be cancelled due to limited visibility from haze. This follows the King's declaration of a state of emergency in the entire Serian Division, Sarawak. Malaysia Airlines and Batik Air Malaysia have confirmed they are not suspending any flights.
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Haze emergency in Serian: JAS raises monitoring to highest level
The Department of Environment (JAS) will increase air quality monitoring to the highest level following a haze emergency declaration in Serian, Sarawak, where the API hit a dangerous 477. Three other areas in Sarawak also recorded very unhealthy readings, while JAS is strengthening its open burning prevention operations.
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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 air quality hits 477 as DOE raises haze response to highest level
The Department of Environment has escalated its monitoring and enforcement to the highest level after a haze emergency was declared in Serian, Sarawak, where the Air Pollutant Index reached 477. Other areas in Sarawak, including Kuching, Samarahan and Sri Aman, also recorded very unhealthy readings, prompting increased patrols against open burning.
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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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Indonesia deploys 14,000 firefighters as haze from Borneo fires hits hazardous levels, spreads to Malaysia
Indonesia has deployed over 14,000 firefighters to combat peatland wildfires in West Kalimantan, where air quality has reached hazardous levels. The haze has drifted to Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines, prompting Malaysia to declare an emergency in Sarawak's Serian division and close 647 schools.
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Sarawak deputy minister urges entrepreneurs to use AI for business plans
Sarawak Deputy Minister Datuk Abdullah Saidol has urged small business owners to leverage AI to create more effective business plans. He made the call at the closing ceremony of the SG-Sarawak Friendship AI Business Design Hackathon 2026 in Kuching.
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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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Indonesia battles Borneo wildfires as haze triggers emergency in Sarawak's Serian
Indonesian authorities are battling wildfires in West and Central Kalimantan that have sent air quality to hazardous levels, with haze drifting to Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines. The pollution prompted Malaysia to declare an emergency in Sarawak's Serian division, closing 647 schools from Monday.
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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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State of emergency declared in Serian as air pollution hits hazardous level
A state of emergency has been declared in Serian, Sarawak, after the 24-hour average air pollution level exceeded the hazardous threshold of 300. Residents are advised to stay indoors and wear N95 masks if they must go out. The emergency area is confined to a 20km radius in Serian, leading to the closure of schools and a halt to construction work.
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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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Serian haze emergency: What the API 521 declaration means for residents
Serian, Sarawak, has declared a haze emergency after its Air Pollutant Index hit 521, exceeding the emergency threshold of 500. The declaration allows for measures under the National Haze Action Plan, including potential workplace closures and restrictions on outdoor activities, but does not impose a curfew or affect the whole state.
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Pantai Damai rep: Suitable land in Santubong, Telaga Air zones could be developed for padi
Pantai Damai assemblyman Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi said suitable land in the Santubong and Telaga Air zones could potentially be developed for padi cultivation. He made the remarks after officiating an agricultural aid handover ceremony at Dewan Sinaran, Kampung Sungai Lumut, where 28 recipients received RM81,000 in assistance.
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Sarawak, Singapore firms sign MOU to launch AI youth ambassador network
AZAM Sarawak, Ibrandium Resources and Anchr AI Labs Singapore signed an MOU to launch the Singapore-Sarawak AI Youth Ambassador Network (SAIYAN). The signing took place at the closing of the SG-Sarawak Friendship AI Business Design Hackathon 2026 in Kuching. The initiative aims to strengthen youth collaboration in the AI ecosystem between the two regions.
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SHEDA backs developer rating system, opens property expo in Kuching
The president of SHEDA expressed support for the Sarawak government's plan to introduce a comprehensive rating system for property developers to improve transparency and consumer protection. The statement was made at the opening of the SHEDA Property Expo 2026 in Kuching, which runs from September 4 to 6. SHEDA is also collaborating with Curtin University Malaysia on human capital development and technology in the property sector.
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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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Serian haze worsens to emergency API of 515, residents stay indoors
Thick haze has blanketed Serian, Sarawak, forcing residents to limit outdoor activities and motorists to drive with extra caution due to poor visibility. The Air Pollutant Index in Serian reached a hazardous 515 as of 5 pm on September 4, according to the Department of Environment. Local residents and travelers describe irritated eyes, breathlessness, and visibility of around 300 meters on some roads.
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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 hits 518, PM Anwar discusses emergency with Sarawak
Serian, Sarawak, recorded a hazardous Air Pollutant Index reading of 518, prompting Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to discuss further action, including a possible disaster emergency, with the Sarawak government. Other areas in Sarawak, including Kuching, also recorded hazardous or very unhealthy air quality levels.