JOHOR BARU: The haze situation in Serian, Sarawak, brought shudders to people in Muar and Tangkak, Johor, as they recalled how they endured a severe haze that blanketed the districts 13 years ago.
Watery eyes, sore throats and indoor confinement remain vivid memories for them.
Residents recalled how a state of emergency was declared in the districts of Muar and Tangkak (then known as Ledang) on June 23, 2013, after the Air Pollutant Index (API) exceeded 750 at 7am that Sunday morning.
Former banana fritter stall operator Amirudin Amat, 50, clearly remembers the acrid air.
“My eyes watered, and my throat felt sore and irritated. It was so uncomfortable that we avoided going outside unless necessary. I had never experienced such thick haze, and I never wish to again,” he said.
“We spent most of our time indoors. Even hanging laundry outside was impossible because clothes would be covered in ash and dust from the haze.”
His daily income took a hit when he had to close his stall during the emergency, while his three children – then aged between eight and 12 – were forced to stay home.
Amirudin, who now supplies nipah leaves to otak-otak traders, recounted that visibility dropped to just a few metres.
On June 23, 2013, an emergency was declared in Muar and Ledang after API readings there exceeded 750.
Based on the API, a reading of 0-50 is categorised as good, 51 to 100 (moderate), 101-200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy), and 300 and above hazardous.
Calvin Woo, 31, had just completed secondary school and was learning to drive while waiting for university intake when the haze enveloped his neighbourhood.
“My brother missed classes when schools closed and I had to postpone driving lessons as only essential businesses remained open,” he said.
Woo, now a government agency director, said his family closely monitored official announcements.
“We were advised to stay indoors. Thankfully, we had air conditioning at home – a privilege not everyone shared – but even then, the air felt stifling and sleeping was difficult,” he said, describing it as the worst haze crisis he has ever experienced.
Salesperson K. Shalini, 31, then a college student in Tangkak, recalled anxiously checking every morning for signs of clear sky.
“The emergency lasted a couple of days, but the thick haze persisted both before and after the declaration,” she said.
Remaining in her hostel with fellow students rather than travelling home, she watched the air remain heavy for far longer than expected.
“I still remember the sheer relief when clean air finally returned – it made me appreciate clean air so much more,” she added.
