Serian workplaces can continue operations despite haze emergency

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 6, 2026

The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee has declared a haze emergency in Serian but allowed government offices and private workplaces to continue operations under strict health precautions despite hazardous air quality levels. This decision comes as authorities monitor air pollution closely over the next three days to determine whether the emergency status will be maintained or lifted amid concerns over transboundary haze from nearby Indonesian forest fires.

The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) has announced that government offices and private sector workplaces in Serian will remain operational despite the area being placed under a haze emergency. The division, covering 2,819 square kilometers, includes industries, plantations, construction sites, and quarries, all of which may continue activities provided they implement appropriate health precautions to safeguard workers.

Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Douglas Uggah confirmed that the decision followed a declaration of emergency late Friday after the air pollutant index (API) in Serian surged beyond the Very Hazardous threshold, surpassing 500. This prompted the Sarawak Public Works Department, under director Datuk Cassidy Morris, to initially halt all work on its projects in the affected zone. However, a subsequent statement allowed work to resume contingent on strict adherence to health safety measures.

At 10 a.m. yesterday, the API reading in Serian stood at 334, placing the division solidly within the hazardous air quality category. The SDMC plans to continue close monitoring of air quality over the next three days to track any fluctuations in the API. This surveillance is crucial before the committee advises Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg and Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on whether to maintain or lift the emergency status.

Deputy Premier Uggah emphasized that air quality variations hinge largely on wind patterns and the locations of active fire hotspots. Serian’s proximity to the border with Kalimantan, Indonesia—located approximately 38 kilometers from the boundary—places it in a region susceptible to transboundary haze pollution, commonly driven by forest fires and land clearing activities in neighboring areas.

The current haze emergency reflects ongoing challenges in managing air pollution in Sarawak amid dry conditions and persistent hotspots. Authorities are urging affected workplaces to remain vigilant and prioritize worker health as monitoring and response efforts continue.

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.