Govt departments and agencies, private sector offices ordered to close if API reading in Sarawak exceeds 500, says Uggah

KUCHING, Aug 30 2026: Government departments and agencies as well private-sector offices and workplaces will be ordered to close should air quality index (API) exceed 500,  pending declaration of a Disaster Emergency by the National Committee on Disaster Management (NADMA).

Caption: SDMC chairman Douglas Uggah says SDMC is already working closely with the relevant state and federal agencies and has response measures in place to manage the evolving haze situation.

Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman Douglas Uggah, however, explained that disaster emergency will not cover essential services.

As at 3pm this afternoon, the API readings of IPD Serian were 425, Samarahan 336, Kuching 313 and Tebedu 310 levels.

“As the API approaches the critical levels of 400 and 500, SDMC will coordinate with the relevant agencies and be guided by NADMA and other relevant authorities on further measures,” Uggah, who is also the deputy premier, said in a statement.

He said SDMC is already working closely with the relevant state and federal agencies and has response measures in place to manage the evolving haze situation.

“The committee will continue to monitor the API and prevailing conditions, with appropriate measures to be progressively implemented in accordance with the established guidelines as the situation develops,” he said. 

Uggah reminded the public and employers of the following progressive guidelines according to the prevailing API level:

0–50 51–100 Moderate Prepare for any future possibility of air pollution.

 Identify outdoor activities that can be minimised; provide health education; ensure availability of N95 masks and conduct fit-testing for employees working outdoors.

101–200 Unhealthy Initiate the use of N95 respirators for employees working outdoors; reassign susceptible employees who have difficulty working outdoors to indoor duties; minimise strenuous outdoor tasks.

201–300 Very Unhealthy Reassign susceptible employees to indoor jobs; avoid strenuous outdoor tasks; temporarily stop earthworks and earth-movement activities.

301–400 Hazardous Assess visibility for work processes; ensure headlights are used while driving; ensure all persons working outdoors use N95 respirators.

400–500 Hazardous Avoid outdoor work.

Above 500 Hazardous All government and private-sector offices and workplaces are to be closed, except essential services, pending declaration of a Disaster Emergency by the National Committee on Disaster Management.