KUCHING – The Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (JPBNS) has stepped up preparations to manage worsening haze conditions in several parts of the state, with agencies placed on standby and operational resources available for deployment.
Sarawak Deputy Premier and JPBNS chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the state currently had sufficient personnel, firefighting assets and other resources to respond to identified fire hotspots and deal with new incidents if required.
The preparedness measures were reviewed during a JPBNS meeting on August 31, which examined developments in air quality, hotspots in Sarawak and neighbouring regions, firefighting and containment operations, enforcement measures, water supply, possible cloud seeding and public health protection.
As of 10am, Serian recorded the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading in Sarawak at 475. Six other locations were also in the Hazardous category, with readings of 402 in Tebedu, 375 in Lubok Antu, 363 in Lundu, 333 in Samarahan, and 331 each in Kuching and Sri Aman.
Three other locations were classified as Very Unhealthy. Sarikei recorded an API reading of 275, followed by Sibu at 220 and Mukah at 215.
Kapit, Samalaju, Bintulu, Miri, ILP Miri, Limbang, Lawas and Bario were recorded in the Unhealthy category.
At divisional level, all Divisional Disaster Management Committees (JPBB), chaired by their respective Residents, have been mobilised to facilitate a rapid response should fires be detected.
Nine hotspots were recorded in Sarawak, comprising five in Bintulu and two each in Samarahan and Kapit.
Fire suppression and containment efforts are being conducted jointly by the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM), RELA and other relevant agencies.
As of August 30, operations at seven locations had involved 49 personnel and 13 JBPM assets across Kuching, Samarahan, Sibu, Miri and Limbang.
Uggah said the available resources would allow Sarawak to respond to known hotspots while maintaining readiness for additional incidents.
“We need to always be prepared and ensure that the necessary personnel, assets and resources are ready to be mobilized if the situation requires it,” he said.
Data for the period from January to August 30 showed that Sarawak had recorded 302 hotspots, with 186, or 61 per cent, detected during August alone.
The situation is also being monitored beyond Sarawak’s borders. Kalimantan recorded 15,587 hotspots during the same period, including 13,212 in August.
Fire activity in parts of Kalimantan and Sumatra could contribute to haze affecting Sarawak, with the issue being addressed through national and ASEAN-level channels to support coordination with relevant authorities.
Within Sarawak, the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) is continuing enforcement and investigation work. Investigation papers will be prepared where potential violations are identified.
Authorities are also emphasising precautions for groups considered more vulnerable to the effects of poor air quality, including children, older people, pregnant women and those with heart or lung conditions.
People who need to spend time outdoors during periods of significant haze are advised to consider using N95 masks. Strenuous outdoor activity and prolonged exposure to haze should also be reduced when air quality deteriorates.
The authorities have also clarified the process that would apply if air pollution becomes more severe. Should an API reading exceed 500, the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) will assess the situation and, if the established criteria are fulfilled, advise the National Disaster Management Committee on initiating the process for an emergency declaration.
Uggah stressed that effective management of the situation would depend on coordination among the agencies involved, with each organisation expected to carry out its responsibilities promptly.
“The important thing is that we are prepared and that each agency knows its role so that actions can be implemented quickly when needed,” he said.
JPBNS remains on standby to coordinate operations and deploy additional resources if conditions require them, while authorities continue to monitor air quality, fire activity and the potential impact of regional hotspots.
The committee said the health, safety and well-being of Sarawak’s population remained the priority as the state continued to respond to the haze situation.
