Malaysia has declared a state of emergency in a district within the state of Sarawak after haze generated by wildfires in neighboring Indonesia pushed air pollution to “hazardous” levels. According to a statement issued Thursday by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s office, King Sultan Ibrahim has consented to the emergency declaration across the Serian Division due to air quality conditions posing risks to public health and safety.
The move followed a formal request from the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee, which determined that the Air Pollutant Index had reached thresholds warranting local emergency measures. The order mandates the closure of 647 schools in Serian from Monday through at least the end of next week, alongside shutdowns for government and private offices, plantations, construction sites, and quarries. Only essential services will remain operational.
Sarawak’s disaster management authorities announced that a three-day cloud-seeding campaign initiated on Thursday will be extended to at least Monday, citing forecasts for more conducive cloud formations during that period. Douglas Uggah Embas, chairman of the state disaster management committee, clarified during a news conference in Kuching that the emergency applies exclusively to Serian, not the entire state, but urged residents to take the situation seriously.
“Please minimise outdoor activities and avoid strenuous activities outdoors,” Embas said.
The haze crisis has affected Sarawak in northern Borneo for weeks, along with neighboring Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia. Other Southeast Asian nations are also experiencing smoggy conditions. Singapore announced it would begin issuing daily haze advisories starting Friday evening after 24-hour air quality readings entered the unhealthy range—the first occurrence since 2023. In the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the suspension of classes in Metro Manila and more than a dozen provinces on Friday.
This year’s transboundary haze stems from fires burning across Indonesia, particularly in the Kalimantan region and Sumatra island, as part of a broader seasonal wildfire crisis. Scientists predict temperatures in the region will peak this month, potentially intensifying the fires by bringing hotter and drier conditions.
Sarawak shouldn’t have to bear this alone—Indonesia needs to enforce its own fire regulations more strictly.
School closures affect working parents the most. What support is the government providing for those caught in between?