Sarawak hits highest API despite slight improvement

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, September 3, 2026

Air quality in Sarawak has marginally improved but remains among the worst in Malaysia, with two locations still in the hazardous category and several others experiencing very unhealthy levels. The haze, driven by numerous hotspots in neighboring Indonesia and local sources, has prompted authorities to intensify enforcement against illegal burning and may lead to disaster management measures if high pollution levels persist.

Air quality readings across Sarawak have shown slight improvement, but the state still recorded some of the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) levels in Malaysia, according to data released on September 2. As of 6 p.m. on that day, two locations in Sarawak remained in the hazardous category, with IPD Serian reporting the country’s worst API at 329, followed by Kuching at 312.

Several other areas in Sarawak reported very unhealthy air quality: Samarahan recorded an API of 287, Sarikei 257, Sri Aman 253, and Sibu 243. Meanwhile, seven additional locations in the state experienced unhealthy air quality, including Mukah (200), Bintulu (190), Kapit (190), Samalaju (171), Limbang (167), ILP Miri (167), and Miri (164).

In neighboring Sabah, the highest unhealthy readings were recorded at Politeknik Kota Kinabalu with an API of 178, followed by Keningau (174), Kota Kinabalu (172), Labuan (172), Kimanis (171), Sandakan (145), and Tawau (102). On the peninsula, Johan Setia in Selangor experienced unhealthy air quality at 159, with Nilai (151), Seremban (115), and Putrajaya (149) also reporting unhealthy levels. Meanwhile, 44 other areas nationwide registered moderate air quality.

The API scale categorizes air quality from good (0-50), moderate (51-100), unhealthy (101-200), very unhealthy (201-300), to hazardous (above 300). According to the National Haze Action Plan, the National Disaster Management Agency will activate disaster management protocols if API levels exceed 150 for more than 24 hours. Cloud-seeding operations may also be implemented under appropriate weather conditions to alleviate haze.

Deputy Director-General (Development) of the Department of Environment (DOE) Azuri Azizah Saedon attributed the haze partly to smoke drifting into Sarawak from multiple sources. Satellite imagery on September 1 revealed 980 hotspots in Kalimantan, 134 in Sumatra, and four within Sarawak itself. “Moderate to dense transboundary haze was observed over northern Borneo, while dense smoke plumes were detected from hotspot clusters in Kalimantan and parts of Sumatra,” she said.

The Asean Secretariat has maintained a Level 3 Alert for the Southern Asean Region since August 27, reflecting increased hotspot activity and worsening haze conditions. In response, Sarawak authorities have intensified patrols targeting high-risk zones such as forests, peatlands, agricultural areas, plantations, landfills, and industrial sites. Enforcement teams are conducting immediate actions against illegal open burning and other pollution sources, in line with existing legislation.

Azuri also urged industrial operators in areas where API readings exceeded 300 to reduce emissions from major polluting activities to prevent further deterioration in air quality. The ongoing haze situation underscores the complexity of managing transboundary pollution and the need for coordinated regional efforts to mitigate its impacts.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.