Sarawak haze worsens as eight areas enter unhealthy air quality zone

CROSS-border haze has intensified in Sarawak, with eight areas recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings by 6pm on Sunday while Johan Setia in Selangor was the only affected area in Peninsular Malaysia.

According to the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), three Sarawak areas — Miri with an API reading of 119, Sarikei (152) and Sri Aman (154) — entered the unhealthy category this afternoon, bringing the total to eight compared with five in the morning.

The five areas that had already recorded unhealthy readings were Kuching at 156, Samarahan (157), Serian (169), Bintulu (154) and Samalaju (152).

In Peninsular Malaysia, Johan Setia in Selangor was the only area to record an unhealthy reading, at 153.

Meanwhile, 57 areas across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak recorded moderate air quality, while Langkawi in Kedah and Kangar in Perlis recorded good readings.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), in its significant weather forecast, said hot and relatively dry conditions were expected to persist across most parts of Borneo, including Sarawak, until August 14.

MetMalaysia said southerly winds, coupled with the expected high number of hotspots in neighbouring countries, could trigger transboundary haze and reduce visibility, particularly in southern Sarawak. - August 10, 2026