Malaysia lifts emergency declaration in Sarawak district as haze eases, but health risks remain

Malaysia has lifted an emergency declaration in Sarawak’s Serian district after haze-related air pollution fell below the hazardous threshold, but authorities warned that the situation has not fully recovered.

The emergency began on Sept. 4, when thick haze from fires in Indonesia’s part of Borneo drove Serian’s Air Pollution Index to 519. The reading fell to 222 on Sept. 7, according to environment department data. Malaysia classifies readings above 300 as hazardous and uses 500 as the threshold for declaring an emergency.

The King, Sultan Ibrahim, approved ending the emergency after receiving advice from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg, along with reports from government agencies that Serian’s air quality was no longer hazardous.

The Prime Minister’s Office said readings in several areas, particularly Serian and Samarahan, remained at very unhealthy levels. Federal and state authorities will continue monitoring the haze, while residents in affected areas were advised to limit outdoor activities and follow official instructions.

“

The Federal government and the Sarawak state government will continue to closely monitor the situation, and residents in affected areas are advised to limit outdoor activities and to always comply with instructions from the authorities.