Kuching: Six areas in Sarawak recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 1 pm today due to transboundary haze. Department of Environment (DOE) deputy director-general (Development) Azuri Azizah Saedon reported that Serian had the highest API reading of 193, followed by Kuching (190), Sri Aman (178), Samarahan (173), Sarikei (153), and Sibu (108).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Azuri Azizah highlighted that the air quality in the country has worsened, with an increase in areas recording unhealthy API readings in Sarawak, attributed to haze movement from various directions. The report from the Singapore-based ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) yesterday identified 489 hotspots in Kalimantan, 19 in Sumatera, and 11 in Malaysia, including two in Sabah and nine in Sarawak.

Azuri Azizah further explained that today's Regional Haze Map, released by the ASMC, indicated prevailing dry weather conditions across most of the southern ASEAN region, except northern Sumatra, which had some rainfall. Scattered hotspots were detected in Kalimantan, with several isolated hotspots in other parts of the southern ASEAN region. Moderate to dense transboundary smoke plumes were observed originating from clusters of hotspots in West Kalimantan, moving northwards into western Sarawak.

The DOE has intensified enforcement and daily patrols in areas with a high potential for open burning while periodically monitoring API readings. The National Open Burning Action Plan and the National Haze Action Plan have been activated to coordinate the efforts of government agencies in addressing open burning and the national haze situation.

The public is urged to refrain from carrying out open burning and to report any such activities or fire incidents immediately to the Fire and Rescue Department via 999 or the DOE hotline at 1-800-88-2727.