AN emergency declaration due to haze will only be made if the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading reaches 500, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
He said the declaration will only involve areas with API readings of 500 and will not cover the whole of Sarawak.
“Under the national haze disaster management guidelines, when the API reaches 500, it is considered a situation that requires an emergency declaration.
“If, for example, Serian reaches API 500, we will convey the matter to NADMA (National Disaster Management Agency) in Kuala Lumpur for further action in accordance with NADMA Directive No.1.
“But if an emergency is declared, it will only be for the area with API 500 and not the whole of Sarawak,” he said.
Uggah, who is also the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee Chairman, said when an emergency is enforced, government and private offices as well as schools in the affected areas will be closed, except for essential services.
He also stressed that the declaration of an emergency is not the power of the Sarawak Premier or the committee, but at the federal level according to the established procedures.
“The emergency declaration will be made by Kuala Lumpur, and there is a specific mechanism for that purpose.
“It is not something that can be declared by the Premier of Sarawak. We need to convey the matter to Kuala Lumpur, and the next process will be according to NADMA Directive No.1.
“I know this is a rather controversial issue, but I hope the people of Sarawak understand that we also do not want to cause unnecessary inconvenience to anyone,” he said.
Uggah also said that the committee is closely monitoring the current situation and hopes that the haze currently affecting the state will not reach the API level of 500, with Serian now approaching that level. – August 31, 2026
