API readings in Serian going down from 518 yesterday to 259 levels as at 5pm this afternoon

KUCHING, Sept 5 2026: After rising up to a very hazardous 518 level yesterday, the air quality  in Serian has improved considerable today.

Caption: Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah says SDMC is the API readings in Serian within three days in anticipation of fluctuation of API level

At at 5pm today, the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading for Serian was registered at 259 level, deemed as very unhealthy.

The very hazardous air quality exceeding 500 in Serian yesterday, had prompted the Sarawak government to submit  request to the federal government to declare a state of haze emergency for the entire Serian Division.

If the API reading in Serian continues to improve for the better, it may not be surprised that the state government may seek another request to the federal government to rescind the emergency.

Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah said Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) is closely monitoring the haze situation across Sarawak, particularly the API readings in Serian.

“We have been monitoring air quality, weather conditions, hotspots and the movement of the haze so that appropriate actions can be taken as the situation develops.

He added SDMC is currently monitoring the API level in Serian within these three days in anticipation for any fluctuation of the API level, should it increase to a level above 500.

“The API is primarily affected by the wind direction and source of hotspot,” he said, adding that the monitoring is to be done before any recommendation to be proposed to Premier Abang Johari Openg and Prime Minister Anwar on the status of emergency in Serian.

He said government, private offices and other workplaces in the affected area, including industries, plantations, construction sites and quarries may continue its operations, but must take health precautionary measures.

Apart from Serian, the air quality in nine other areas is also categorised as very unhealthy.

The API reading in Kuching was recorded at 264, and this is followed by Lubok Anu (257),Simanggang (237), Lundu (226), Kanowit (214), Samarahan (211), Bintulu (201), Samalaju (207) and Tebedu (203).

5 September 2026, Saturday 5:00 P.M.

	STATION	INDEX	STATUS
	KUCHING	264	Very Unhealthy
	SAMARAHAN	211	Very Unhealthy
	IPD SERIAN (MCAQM)	259	Very Unhealthy
	SIMANGGANG	237	Very Unhealthy
	SARIKEI	180	Unhealthy
	SIBU	176	Unhealthy
	MUKAH	189	Unhealthy
	KAPIT	152	Unhealthy
	BINTULU	210	Very Unhealthy
	SAMALAJU	207	Very Unhealthy
	MIRI	184	Unhealthy
	ILP MIRI	191	Unhealthy
	LIMBANG	162	Unhealthy
	LUNDU	226	Very Unhealthy
	TEBEDU	203	Very Unhealthy
	LUBOK ANTU	257	Very Unhealthy
	KANOWIT	214	Very Unhealthy
	LAWAS	150	Unhealthy
	BARIO	92	Moderate
	BETONG (MCAQM)	186	Unheal