LAST Monday, my son, Tzen, sent me a table of the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings in Sarawak recorded at 12.38 pm on Sunday, August 9.
My son, who does not talk much, did not call me.
“Need to wear mask,” he just wrote in his WhatsApp message.
“Oh, this must be something serious,” I told myself as my son seldom sent me messages on WhatsApp me unless something was urgent,
I studied the table. The API readings that Sunday were 170 in Serian, 156 in Samarahan, 156 in Sri Aman, 155 in Bintulu, 154 in Kuching, 133 in Sarikei, 117 in Miri, 95 in Mukah, 93 in Sibu, 82 in Limbang and 73 in Kapit.
An API reading of zero to 0 indicates good air quality, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 120 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy and an API above 300 is hazardous.
When I read the news later on, I discovered that schools would be closed immediately if the API exceeded 200. Teachers, however, were required to conduct lessons from home under haze management measures issued by the Ministry of Education (MOE).
The Sarawak Education Department explained that the measure was aimed at protecting the safety and health of students amid worsening air quality.
It reminded school administrators to monitor the API readings continuously through the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) and to take appropriate action based on the readings.
It said when the API exceeded 100, all outdoor activities must be stopped including sports, Physical Education, assemblies and other outdoor programmes.
Students were also advised to wear suitable face masks and drink water frequently.
“When the API reading exceeds 500, schools will be closed completely and teachers and school staff will not be required to report to school,” added the department.
Three days later, on Wednesday, August 12, 107 schools in the Serian District were temporarily closed after the API readings in the area exceeded 200.
The move was announced by Sarawak Deputy Premier and the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. He said the closure was to safeguard the health and wellbeing of students and school personnel.
That day, as of 4 pm, Serian recorded an API reading of 202 while Tebedu recorded 212, placing both areas in the very unhealthy category.
Eleven other areas — Kuching, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Sarikei, Sibu, Bintulu, Samalaju, Miri, Lundu, Lubok Antu and Lawas — recorded unhealthy API readings from 101 to 200.
Uggah disclosed that the air quality in Sarawak had shown an upward trend in API readings since August 1.
He revealed 75 hotspots were detected in Sarawak between August 1 and August 11 compared to 3,853 hotspots detected in Kalimantan, Indonesia during the same period. This was according to data obtained from the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC).
Uggah added the prevailing Southwest Monsoon, which began on May 14 and was expected to continue until September, could contribute to transboundary haze and deteriorating air quality in Sarawak.
A few public activities including the Mayor’s Walk 2026 in Kuching have been postponed due to the haze. Kuching South City Council (MBKS) said the event, which was originally scheduled for August 16 at 6 am, had been postponed to a later date.
As of 8 am on August 13 (last Thursday), areas recording unhealthy API readings were Samarahan (183), Serian (183), Kuching (177), Sri Aman (159), Sarikei (158), Mukah (152) and Sibu (152).
Yes, the transboundary haze is back in Sarawak this year.
Transboundary haze in the state primarily comes from forest and peatland fires in Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo, driven by regional dry weather and the Southwest Monsoon winds carrying smoke northwards across the border.
It does not happen every year. It did not happen last year. But when it does, it causes major disruptions to daily life, public health and outdoor work across the region, turning the seasonal smoke into a serious community concern.
Among the key inconveniences caused by the haze are reduced visibility, especially for motorists and aircraft, eye, nose and throat irritation, breathing difficulties, particularly for vulnerable groups, cancellation of outdoor activities and sports, traffic disruption due to poor visibility and headaches, coughing and discomfort. Businesses and tourism activities may also be affected and flights and other transport services could face delays when visibility is poor.
What precautionary steps can you take during the haze? You can, for instance, stay indoors as much as possible when API readings are unhealthy, wear a suitable mask when going outdoors and keep doors and windows closed.
You should also avoid strenuous outdoor activities and exercise, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and use an air purifier if available.
Vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and those with respiratory problems should take extra precautions.
You can monitor the Air Pollutant Index (API) regularly, seek medical attention if experiencing persistent breathing difficulties or other serious symptoms and avoid open burning, which can worsen haze conditions.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has urged Sarawakians to take precautions against current hazy conditions in the state.
He said although the current haze was not as bad as on previous occasions, the impact of the El Nino weather phenomenon had to be considered.
“Now we are affected because of El Nino, so we need to take heed. Hopefully this is temporary,” he told reporters after the groundbreaking ceremony of Regency Specialist Hospital in Kuching on Aug 10.
Abang Johari said that the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chaired by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas would coordinate the state government’s response to the situation.
According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) on Friday (August 14), the hot and relatively dry weather is expected to persist in Sarawak and several other areas of Borneo until next Thursday (August 20).
MetMalaysia said the conditions were influenced by southerly winds and the still high number of hotspots in Borneo.
My friends, while waiting for the haze to clear, let us stay indoors with the windows closed, track local air quality updates and drink plenty of water. If we must go outside, let us wear properly fitted N95 masks. Let’s prioritise our health.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at adelinel888@gmail.com.
