BETONG: The Sarawakku Sayang Programme for Betong Division, scheduled to take place from Sept 11 to 13, has been postponed following the prevailing haze situation in Sarawak.
The postponement marks the second Sarawakku Sayang programme to be deferred due to the haze, after the Mukah edition, which was originally scheduled from Aug 28 to 30 at Dataran Pehin Setia Raja, was postponed last month.
According to a notice issued by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS), the Betong programme was postponed following a decision by the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) to defer programmes and activities involving large gatherings.
No replacement date has been announced for the Betong programme.
The earlier postponement in Mukah was announced on Aug 22 as part of precautionary measures taken by SDMC amid deteriorating air quality across several parts of the state.
Apart from the Mukah programme, the haze also led to the postponement of the 2026 Sarawak State-level National Day Celebration in Kapit, originally scheduled for Aug 30 and 31, as well as the 100th Anniversary Celebration of Rumah Mendit Penom in Spaoh, which had been scheduled for Sept 1.
SDMC chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas had said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure, taking into account prevailing air quality conditions and prioritising public safety, health and well-being.
The committee had also advised organisers to postpone outdoor events and activities involving large crowds to suitable dates to minimise public exposure to unhealthy air quality.
