Malaysia’s Sabah on haze alert as air quality reaches unhealthy levels

Sabah has placed itself on haze alert after air quality in its capital and in Tawau reached unhealthy levels over the past 48 hours.

Tawau recorded an Air Pollutant Index reading of 153, while Kota Kinabalu registered 122 at 11 a.m. on Aug. 31. Readings between 101 and 200 are classified as unhealthy. Sandakan and Keningau remained at moderate levels.

The state is also being affected by reported transboundary haze from forest and peatland fires in Kalimantan. A fire involving 202 stilt houses in Kampung Numbak, Kota Kinabalu, on Aug. 30 contributed to the worsening local air quality, said Nor Rashidah Mohd Ghazali of the Sabah Environment Department.

Nor Rashidah said no other major fires had been reported around Kota Kinabalu. Bush fires detected by the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre in Tuaran and Kota Belud on Aug. 29 had been extinguished, with no further hotspots detected.

The department is increasing enforcement and daily patrols in areas vulnerable to open burning because of hot, dry weather. It has conducted 474 patrols under the Open Burning Prevention Operation. Residents were urged not to burn openly, allow their land or premises to be used for such activity, and to report fires to the Fire and Rescue Department.

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No other major fires were reported around Kota Kinabalu.