Workplaces to Operate Under Health Precautions During Serian Haze Emergency, Says SDMC

KUCHING, Sept 5 — Government and private offices, along with industrial, agricultural, and construction workplaces in Serian, may continue daily operations during the declared haze emergency, provided strict health precautionary measures are enforced.

Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who chairs the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), stated that authorities are closely monitoring air quality trends across the state over a three-day period to track potential Air Pollutant Index (API) fluctuations.

“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,” Uggah said in an official statement today.

He added that the monitoring assessment will guide subsequent recommendations submitted to Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim regarding the ongoing emergency status in Serian.

According to the SDMC, the air monitoring station in Serian registered an API reading of 334 at 10:00 AM today, placing local air quality within the “hazardous” bracket. The committee noted that API levels remain heavily influenced by prevailing wind directions and active regional hotspots.

To minimize health risks, Uggah urged members of the public to avoid outdoor activities and to wear N95 or three-ply protective face masks if venturing outside is necessary, emphasizing extra care for children, senior citizens, and high-risk individuals.

The declaration of an emergency across the Serian Division was consented to by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, following consultation with the Prime Minister, the Premier of Sarawak, and relevant government agencies after the local API breached the 500 threshold on Friday (Sept 4).

–NMT