Haze is keeping 591 Sarawak schools closed on Aug 21. The Sarawak Education Department said the temporary closure took effect on Aug 20 and will continue tomorrow, Aug 21, after unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings were recorded at 3pm. The order affects 509 primary schools with 107,590 pupils and 82 secondary schools with 89,733 students. The 10 affected district education offices cover Kuching, Padawan, Bau, Lundu, Samarahan, Simunjan, Serian, Sri Aman, Lubok Antu and Betong. Schools have been told to monitor readings through the Department of Environment's APIMS system and follow Ministry of Health advice. Any further update will be announced by the department. Because these readings are tied to 2026-08-20, parents should check the latest APIMS update and their school's notice before making plans for attendance or outdoor activities. A reopening is not a permanent all-clear if the API rises again. [image: 1787220315028-haze-chimon-20260820.jpg]

Haze returned to Sarawak on Aug 19, with five monitoring areas recording unhealthy air quality at 9am. Serian recorded the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at 156, followed by Kuching at 154, Sri Aman at 152, Samarahan at 113 and Mukah at 106. The figures were a snapshot from the Department of Environment's APIMS system, not a forecast for the whole day. in Kuching An API reading from 101 to 200 is classified as unhealthy. The number can move as wind, rain and nearby hotspots change, so an old screenshot should not be used as the current reading. Check APIMS again before school sports, outdoor work or a long trip. Children, older people and anyone with asthma or heart or lung conditions should be more cautious when readings are elevated. Reducing strenuous outdoor activity, closing windows when smoke is strong and using a well-fitting high-filtration mask outdoors are more useful than relying on a loose cloth mask. Affected at 9am: Serian, Kuching, Sri Aman, Samarahan and Mukah Important: These readings were recorded on Aug 19 and may have changed since publication. These API figures are a time-specific snapshot from 2026-08-19, not a full-day forecast. Rain, wind and new hotspots can change the number quickly, so check APIMS again before school sports, outdoor work or a long trip. Children, older people and people with asthma or heart or lung conditions should reduce strenuous outdoor activity while the air remains unhealthy. [image: 1787112656808-sarawak-haze.jpg]

Sarawak's air quality has improved, with every monitoring station at moderate level except Bario, which remained good. The Natural Resources and Environment Board's Daily Haze Watch recorded Kuching's Air Pollutant Index (API) at 87 as of 8am Monday, seven points lower than Sunday afternoon. Serian dropped from 157 to 98, while Samarahan fell from 151 to 92. Lundu and Tebedu also moved down from unhealthy readings to 93 and 73. API readings from 51 to 100 are classified as moderate, while 0 to 50 is considered good. These API figures are a time-specific snapshot from 2026-08-17, not a full-day forecast. Rain, wind and new hotspots can change the number quickly, so check APIMS again before school sports, outdoor work or a long trip. Children, older people and people with asthma or heart or lung conditions should reduce strenuous outdoor activity while the air remains unhealthy. [image: 1786939511831-20260817-sarawak-air.jpg]

Kuching’s air quality improved to the moderate range by Sunday evening, but Serian and Samarahan were still unhealthy. At 5pm on Aug 16, Kuching’s Air Pollutant Index (API) reading fell to 91. Serian recorded 157 and Samarahan 147, both still in the unhealthy range. API readings from 101 to 200 are classified as unhealthy, while 51 to 100 is moderate. Rain brought some relief after a week of dry weather. All 107 schools under the Serian District Education Office were scheduled to reopen on Aug 17 after temporarily closing when the API went above 200. These API figures are a time-specific snapshot from 2026-08-16, not a full-day forecast. Rain, wind and new hotspots can change the number quickly, so check APIMS again before school sports, outdoor work or a long trip. Children, older people and people with asthma or heart or lung conditions should reduce strenuous outdoor activity while the air remains unhealthy.

Kuching’s air quality improved after Saturday’s rain, but five areas in Sarawak were still at unhealthy levels this morning. At 8am on Sunday, the Natural Resources and Environment Board’s haze watch recorded these readings: Kuching’s reading dropped from 163 at 4pm on Saturday after an evening shower brought some relief following a week of dry weather. Other parts of Sarawak were in the moderate range, between 51 and 100. The air quality can change quickly with the weather and wind direction. Authorities also reminded the public that open burning is prohibited. Offenders may face a fine of RM25,000 to RM1 million, up to five years in jail, or both. These API figures are a time-specific snapshot from 2026-08-16, not a full-day forecast. Rain, wind and new hotspots can change the number quickly, so check APIMS again before school sports, outdoor work or a long trip. Children, older people and people with asthma or heart or lung conditions should reduce strenuous outdoor activity while the air remains unhealthy. [image: 1786853210530-haze-kuching-20260816.jpg] Source: The Borneo Post / Chimon Upon

Kuching’s air quality has moved into the unhealthy range. [image: 1786788230548-kuching-api-20260815.jpg] Photo: The Borneo Post Kuching and Samarahan both recorded an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 163 at 4pm on Saturday, the highest in Sarawak. Nine locations across the state were in the unhealthy range, with Serian at 162. API readings from 101 to 200 are classified as unhealthy. MetMalaysia also warned of thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds in parts of Sarawak, which may bring temporary relief. Residents should check the latest APIMS readings and limit prolonged outdoor activity if the haze worsens. Location: Kuching, Sarawak Details: Nine Sarawak locations recorded unhealthy air quality Source: The Borneo Post What do you think?

Kuching’s API reached 177 on Aug 12 as haze worsened across Sarawak. [image: 1786593856418-kuching-haze-20260812.jpg] At 4pm, data from the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) showed 11 areas at unhealthy levels and two at very unhealthy levels. Tebedu recorded an API reading of 214 and IPD Serian 201. Samarahan was at 178, followed by Kuching at 177. Other unhealthy readings were recorded in Lubok Antu (165), Sarikei (160), Sri Aman (157), Bintulu (153), Miri (151), Sibu (124), Lundu (111), Samalaju (110) and Lawas (102). API readings from 101 to 200 are classified as unhealthy, while 201 to 300 are very unhealthy. The readings are updated hourly. Location: Kuching and Sarawak Details: APIMS readings at 4pm on Aug 12 Source: Borneo Post What do you think?

Haze blankets Sarawak — Serian hits API 190, Kuching at 167 as unhealthy air spreads across 11 areas {img0} Another hazy day in Sarawak. As of 6pm yesterday (Aug 11), Serian recorded the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading in the state at 190 — firmly in the unhealthy range. Kuching wasnt far behind at 167, while Samarahan (168), Bintulu (159), Sibu (155), Sri Aman (157), Samalaju (155), Sarikei (155), Mukah (154), and Miri (142) all logged unhealthy readings. Only Limbang (73) and Kapit (78) managed moderate air quality. At the same time, METMalaysia issued a thunderstorm warning for Bintulu (Tatau) and Sibu (Selangau & Sibu) valid until 9pm, which could bring some temporary relief. With API levels expected to remain elevated, residents across Kuching and Sarawak are advised to limit outdoor activities and wear masks when necessary. Location: Serian, Kuching & multiple areas across Sarawak Details: API 190 in Serian; 11 areas record unhealthy readings; thunderstorm warning for Bintulu & Sibu Source: DayakDaily What do you think? Should schools be closed when API crosses 150?

Haze conditions have returned to Bau, with air quality readings reaching unhealthy levels near the Sarawak-West Kalimantan border. [image: 1786324232107-haze-bau-1.jpg] Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep urged residents to reduce outdoor activities, especially when the Air Pollution Index (API) climbs towards 150. He said this is an annual occurrence caused by cross-border burning from Indonesia. "Nothing much we can do because this is coming from the other side," he told reporters after a site visit to the Serikin ICQS project. Those with sensitive respiratory conditions are advised to take extra precautions. Location: Bau, Sarawak Details: API readings reaching unhealthy levels; annual transboundary haze from Indonesia Source: DayakDaily Stay safe, everyone

Haze blankets Sarawak — Kuching, Bintulu, Serian all hit unhealthy API levels Several areas across Sarawak recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings this morning, with Serian the worst at 170. According to the Department of Environment's monitoring stations, here are the readings as of 8am today: Serian — 170 Kota Samarahan — 157 Kuching — 155 Bintulu — 155 Samalaju — 152 An API reading of 101 to 200 is classified as unhealthy. The haze has gotten so thick in Bintulu that the tallest building, The Peak Condominium, was barely visible through the smog. Authorities advise the public, especially those with respiratory conditions, to limit outdoor activities and take necessary precautions. [image: 1786239080058-haze-bintulu.jpg] Location: Serian, Kuching, Kota Samarahan, Bintulu, Samalaju Details: API readings across Sarawak range from 152-170 (unhealthy category) as of Aug 9, 2026 morning Source: The Borneo Post What do you think?

Smoke from Kalimantan wildfires has pushed air quality across western Sarawak into unhealthy territory. [image: 1786161783836-haze-api.jpg] As of 11am today (Aug 8), five stations in Sarawak recorded unhealthy API readings: Serian: 172 (highest) Kuching: 156 Samarahan: 155 Bintulu: 152 Sri Aman: 139 Other areas like Mukah (98), Sarikei (97), Sibu (93), and Miri (86) remain moderate — for now. Source of the haze The ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre detected 643 hotspots in Kalimantan and 22 in Sarawak alone, with thick smoke from West Kalimantan drifting northward into western Sarawak. What's being done The Department of Environment has activated both the National Open Burning Action Plan and National Haze Action Plan. Enforcement patrols have been stepped up. Under the Environmental Quality Act (Amendment) 2024, open burning offenders face fines of RM25,000 to RM1 million or up to five years' jail. School closures on standby Schools and childcare centres must close immediately if API readings exceed 200. Outdoor activities are already suspended when API passes 100. Nadma will activate disaster committees when readings exceed 150 for more than 24 hours. Affected areas: Kuching, Serian, Samarahan, Bintulu, Sri Aman Source: DayakDaily Stay safe, wear a mask if you're heading out. What do you think?

Kuching and Samarahan recorded "unhealthy" air quality this morning — API readings at 133 and 135 as of 10am. [image: 1786075412250-haze-api.jpg] The Air Pollutant Index readings on Friday (Aug 7) pushed both areas past the unhealthy threshold of 100, making them the worst in Sarawak. Sarikei is close behind at 90, followed by Sibu and Sri Aman at 86 each, and Bintulu at 83. Other areas like Mukah (76), Samalaju (75), Miri (66), Kapit (60), and Limbang (57) are still in the moderate range. Location: Kuching & Samarahan Details: API 133 (Kuching), 135 (Samarahan) as of 10am, Aug 7 MetMalaysia Sarawak director Khairul Najib said the haze is caused by transboundary smoke from West Kalimantan, carried by seasonal southeast winds. Hotspots detected across the border are expected to keep the haze hanging around. Source: DayakDaily Mask up if you're going out today. What do you think?