KUCHING, Aug 12 2026: A total of 108 schools in Serian Division have been
ordered to close temporarily following Air Pollution Index (API) readings exceeding 200, which is in the very unhealthy category.
Deputy Premier and chairman of the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) Douglas Uggah Embas said the closures were implemented as a preventive measure to protect the safety, health and well-being of students and school staff due to the worsening haze conditions.
According to him, based on the National Haze Action Plan, schools, kindergartens and nurseries will be closed immediately when the API reading reaches 200, under the jurisdiction of the director of the Sarawak State Education Department.
"Following the API reading of over 200 in Serian Division, 108 schools in the area have been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure to protect safety, health and well-being.
"Home Teaching and Learning (PdPR) will continue throughout the closure period to ensure that the continuity of students' learning is not affected," he said in a media statement today.
Uggah added that two areas in Sarawak recorded API readings in the very unhealthy category (API 201 to 300), namely Tebedu (212) and Serian (202) as of 4pm today.
A total of 11 areas are in the unhealthy category (API 101 to 200), namely Kuching, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Sarikei, Sibu, Bintulu, Samalaju, Miri, Lundu, Lubok Antu and Lawas.
Five other areas are in the Moderate category (API 51 to 100), namely Mukah, Kapit, ILP Miri, Limbang and Bario.
No area recorded API readings in the Good category, which is below 50, and Dangerous, which is above 300.
He said, the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) report for the period 1 to 11 August 2026 recorded 75 hotspots in Sarawak, compared to 3,853 hotspots detected in Kalimantan, Indonesia during the same period.
He explained that the current situation is also influenced by the Southwest Monsoon phase which began on 14 May 2026 and is expected to end in September 2026, with winds blowing consistently from the southwest.
“This situation has the potential to cause possible transboundary haze and deterioration of ambient air quality in the Sarawak region.
“Sarawak is likely to continue to experience haze in the next few days if biomass burning increases outside Sarawak’s borders,” he said.
Uggah said SDMC together with relevant agencies would continue to monitor developments in air quality, weather conditions, hotspots and fire incidents throughout Sarawak.
He also advised the public to reduce outdoor activities, especially when air quality readings were at Unhealthy levels or higher.
"High-risk groups including children, the elderly, pregnant women and individuals with respiratory or heart problems are advised to limit exposure to polluted air.
"The public is also advised to avoid strenuous physical activities and outdoor sports if the haze conditions worsen and to use appropriate face masks if necessary to be outside," he explained.
Meanwhile, the Sarawak Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) reminds the public not to engage in open burning which can cause air pollution, especially during the summer.
Those convicted of engaging in open burning can be charged under Section 30(1)(a) and Section 30(2) of the Natural Resources and Environment Ordinance (Cap. 84 – Laws of Sarawak, Ed. 1958) and can be fined not exceeding RM100,000 or imprisoned for five years or both.
The public's cooperation is also required to extinguish small fires and report cases of open burning to the nearest NREB Office or the NREB Hotline at 082-447488 or 082-319500.
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