SARAWAK’S haze crisis has intensified, with the Air Pollutant Index (API) in Serian surging to 242, placing the area in the “very unhealthy” category as of 6am today.
Data from the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) showed eight other areas in the state recording unhealthy air quality, underscoring the widening impact of the transboundary haze.
The affected areas were Sri Aman at 189, Kuching at 188, Samarahan at 180, Sarikei at 172, Sibu at 156, Bintulu at 153, Kapit at 107 and Samalaju at 36.
Serian, located near the Malaysia-Indonesia border, also recorded a marked deterioration from the previous day as haze conditions worsened.
The deteriorating air quality has prompted the closure of 591 schools under 10 district education offices across Sarawak today, amid growing concerns over the impact of the transboundary haze on pupils and students.
The Sarawak Education Department said in a statement yesterday that the closures involved 509 primary schools with a combined enrolment of 107,590 pupils, as well as 82 secondary schools involving 89,733 students.
The affected schools fall under the Kuching, Padawan, Bau, Lundu, Samarahan, Simunjan, Serian, Sri Aman, Lubok Antu and Betong district education offices.
Meanwhile, the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (JPBNS) said close monitoring of weather conditions, air quality, hotspots, the risk of forest and peatland fires, and the status of the state’s water supply was continuing in coordination with relevant agencies.
The intensified monitoring reflects growing concern over the wider environmental and public health risks posed by the worsening haze, particularly in areas close to the Indonesian border. - August 21, 2026
