Sarawak: The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) has urged organisers of official, private, and community events to assess prevailing haze conditions and Air Pollutant Index (API) readings before deciding whether to proceed, postpone, or cancel their activities. SDMC chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas stated that while the decision to hold events currently remains with individual organisers, they should make responsible decisions based on public health risks, particularly for outdoor programmes.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Uggah emphasized that the decision to proceed, postpone, or cancel remains at the discretion of the respective organisers unless a specific directive is issued by the relevant authorities. He advised that when the API exceeds 200, organisers should reconsider outdoor physical activities, sports, and strenuous exercise, especially when involving children, the elderly, or other vulnerable groups.
Uggah, also Sarawak Deputy Premier, encouraged organisers to consider alternatives such as moving events indoors, modifying activities, or postponing them if air quality worsens. He added that SDMC was working closely with state and federal agencies to continuously monitor the situation and implement measures progressively in line with established disaster management guidelines.
He further noted that if the API exceeds 500, guidelines provide for the closure of government and private sector offices and workplaces, except for essential services, pending a declaration of a Disaster Emergency by the National Disaster Management Committee (NADMA).
Air quality in several parts of Sarawak deteriorated sharply at midday, with Serian, Samarahan, and Kuching recording hazardous API levels as of 12.30 pm. According to the Department of Environment's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal, the highest reading was recorded at the Serian District Police Headquarters monitoring station at 412, followed by Samarahan at 332 and Kuching at 304. Sri Aman recorded a very unhealthy reading of 228. Areas recording unhealthy readings included Sarikei (197), Sibu (190), Bintulu (183), Mukah (176), Samalaju (175), Kapit (161), Miri (159), and the Miri Industrial Training Institute (ILP) (156).