Malaysian authorities warned that hazy conditions across the country are expected to persist until late September, as transboundary smoke from Indonesian fires continues to push air quality into unhealthy levels in several states.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department said the situation nationwide remains under control, but persistent hotspots in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, are driving the worst conditions. In Sarawak, the town of Serian recorded the highest Air Pollutant Index reading at 182, well into the unhealthy range, followed by Kuching at 170, Samarahan at 169, and Sri Aman at 162.
Sarawak Worst Hit as Peninsular Malaysia Also Affected
In Peninsular Malaysia, two areas recorded unhealthy readings: Cheras in Kuala Lumpur at 153 and Johan Setia in Selangor at 135. The Department of Environment said the worsening air quality is driven primarily by transboundary haze rather than local fires, with the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre tracking dry and hazy conditions across much of Southeast Asia.
MetMalaysia Director-General Dr. Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said current haze levels have not reached the extremes of previous major episodes, but the situation in Sarawak is expected to remain unchanged over the coming days. “The situation would only improve if there was a drastic reduction in hotspots in West Kalimantan, as open burning is the primary cause of haze,” he told the New Straits Times.
El Nino Intensification Raises Fears of Prolonged Episode
The haze comes as Southeast Asia braces for hotter and drier conditions driven by a strengthening El Nino pattern. Regional forecasters have warned of heightened haze risks through the September-October period, which is traditionally the peak of the annual burning season in Indonesia and Malaysia.
Health authorities in Sarawak have advised vulnerable groups, including the elderly, children, and those with respiratory conditions, to limit outdoor activities. Schools in affected areas have been urged to monitor conditions and consider suspending outdoor events when API readings exceed 100.
The annual transboundary haze crisis has been a recurring source of tension between Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Indonesia has pledged to crack down on illegal land clearing by palm oil companies and other agricultural operations, but enforcement remains inconsistent across its vast archipelago. Previous severe haze episodes in 2015 and 2019 caused widespread health impacts and significant economic losses across the region.
Sources: New Straits Times; MetMalaysia; Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre; DayakDaily
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