AIR quality deteriorated sharply in Sarawak this morning, with Sri Aman recording an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 298, just two points short of the hazardous threshold of 300.
Three other areas — Kuching, Samarahan and Sarikei — also recorded hazardous readings above 200 as at 8am, according to data from the Department of Environment’s (DOE) Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS).
Kuching recorded an API of 276, followed by Samarahan at 257 and Sarikei at 227.
The deterioration comes as haze continues to affect several parts of Sarawak, with eight other locations in the state recording unhealthy air quality.
Sibu recorded an API of 191, followed by Bintulu and Kapit at 176 each, Mukah at 172, Samalaju at 167, Limbang at 155, ILP Miri at 153 and Miri at 134.
Unhealthy air quality was also recorded at four locations in Sabah, with Politeknik Kota Kinabalu registering 166, Kimanis and Keningau 165 each, and Kota Kinabalu 164.
Labuan recorded 162, while Johan Setia in Selangor registered 112.
Nationwide, 45 areas recorded moderate air quality and three reported good readings.
The worsening conditions come as authorities carry out cloud-seeding operations in areas affected by haze, particularly those recording API readings above 150, as well as locations around dams where water levels are declining.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was previously reported as saying the operations were being conducted through cooperation between the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
The concentration of hazardous readings in Sarawak places the state at the centre of Malaysia’s latest haze episode, with residents in affected areas urged to closely monitor API levels and limit prolonged outdoor activities when air quality deteriorates. - September 3, 2026
