Haze conditions persisted across multiple regions in Malaysia, with several areas recording unhealthy to hazardous air quality levels amid ongoing dry weather and cross-border fires. According to the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) data as of the evening of August 30, thirteen locations reported unhealthy air quality, while four areas in Sarawak reached hazardous levels.
Three locations in Sarawak registered hazardous Air Pollutant Index (API) readings above 300: Serian at 433, Kuching at 381, Samarahan at 352, and Sri Aman at 339. Additional parts of Sarawak, including Bintulu, Miri, Kapit, and Limbang, recorded unhealthy air quality, with indices ranging between 162 and 184. The Federal Territory of Labuan and parts of Sabah also experienced unhealthy air, with Kota Kinabalu at 156, Kimanis at 154, and Keningau at 140. In northern Peninsular Malaysia, areas in Kedah and Penang, such as Sungai Petani and Seberang Perai, reported unhealthy levels.
Deputy Director-General of the Department of Environment (DOE) Azuri Azizah Saedon attributed the haze primarily to transboundary smoke from widespread forest and peatland fires in Indonesia’s Kalimantan and Sumatra regions. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) detected 368 hotspots on August 30, including one each in Malaysia’s Perak and Sarawak, 324 in Kalimantan, and 42 in Sumatra. She noted that dry weather across southern ASEAN contributed to the fires and resulting smoke drifting into Malaysia, particularly affecting western and central Sarawak and southern Sabah.
In Sabah, authorities expressed concern despite some areas maintaining moderate air quality. Kota Kinabalu and Tawau recorded unhealthy API readings of 122 and 153 respectively, with other districts like Sandakan and Keningau registering moderate levels. Sabah DOE director Nor Rashidah Mohd Ghazali highlighted that while transboundary haze plays a significant role, recent local fires, including one that destroyed 202 stilt houses in Kampung Numbak, also contributed to air pollution. Patrols have been intensified to prevent open burning, with 474 patrols conducted recently under the Open Burning Prevention Operation. She reminded the public of legal consequences under the Environmental Quality Act for illegal burning and encouraged reporting of fire incidents.
In Sarawak, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas warned that an API reading reaching 500 would trigger a state emergency, leading to closures of offices and non-essential services. The State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN), which he chairs, has been coordinating with the federal government and ASEAN counterparts to address the regional haze issue diplomatically. Cloud seeding operations to mitigate the haze and replenish water resources are planned from September 3 to 5, pending suitable weather conditions. The initiative also aims to alleviate drought impacts on key water catchment areas currently experiencing depletion.
Other parts of Peninsular Malaysia reported moderate to good air quality, with Selangor, Perak, Johor, Pahang, and Perlis recording API readings mostly below 100. The national Air Pollutant Index classifies readings from 0 to 50 as good, 51 to 100 as moderate, 101 to 200 as unhealthy, 201 to 300 as very unhealthy, and above 300 as hazardous.
The Department of Environment continues to monitor air quality and enforce open burning regulations nationwide as the haze situation develops. State and federal agencies emphasize cooperation through ASEAN channels to manage the broader transboundary haze challenges rooted in Indonesia’s ongoing forest fires.