AIR quality in Serian deteriorated further this morning, with the Air Pollutant Index (API) reaching 221, placing the Sarawak district in the very unhealthy category and prompting the temporary closure of all schools in the area.
Data from the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) showed Serian recorded the highest reading at 6am, up from 217 at 10pm yesterday.
All primary and secondary schools under the Serian District Education Office (PPD) will be closed temporarily tomorrow, with home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) implemented during the closure.
The Sarawak Education Department (JPN) said the decision was made to prioritise the health, safety and wellbeing of pupils and school personnel amid worsening haze in the district.
“JPN Sarawak places great importance on the health, safety and wellbeing of all its personnel,” it said in a statement.
The department said PdPR would be conducted in accordance with the Education Ministry’s Circular Letter No. 8 of 2016 on the management of teaching and learning during disasters.
It also said schools in areas bordering districts where API readings exceed 200 may consider implementing PdPR, with head teachers and principals taking into account pupils’ health and safety.
Should API readings show a downward trend to below 200, head teachers and principals may take appropriate action to prepare for schools to reopen, JPN Sarawak said.
Schools have also been reminded to comply with the prescribed standard operating procedures and refer to the Education Ministry’s 2019 circular on measures to safeguard pupils’ health and safety in schools located in critically haze-affected areas.
All educational institutions under JPN Sarawak have been advised to follow guidelines on outdoor activities during hot weather and to monitor developments, including API readings through the Department of Environment’s APIMS portal.
Ten other areas recorded unhealthy API readings at 6am, with nine in Sarawak — Kuching (194), Samarahan (188), Bintulu (170), Sri Aman (168), Samalaju (164), Sarikei (160), Sibu (159), Mukah (155) and Miri (148).
In Peninsular Malaysia, Bukit Rambai in Melaka was the only area to record an unhealthy reading, at 134.
Under APIMS classifications, API readings of 101 to 200 are categorised as unhealthy, while readings of 201 to 300 are classified as very unhealthy.
The Health Ministry’s advice is for people, particularly children, senior citizens and those with respiratory problems, to reduce outdoor activities in affected areas. - September 24, 2026
