SERIAN: Government offices and private sector operations in Serian will remain open despite a declared state of emergency over hazardous haze levels, the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) announced Saturday (Sept 4).
The declaration of emergency was made by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong after the local Air Pollutant Index (API) spiked to a severe peak of 518 on Friday night, entering the hazardous category.
In a statement, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas said workplaces across the 2,819-square-kilometre division—including industrial plants, plantations, construction sites, and quarries—are permitted to continue operations, provided strictly enforced health precautionary measures are implemented to protect workers.
The announcement follows initial confusion regarding workplace stoppages. Immediately after the emergency declaration, Sarawak Public Works Department director Datuk Cassidy Morris ordered a temporary halt to all department projects in the affected zone. However, the department confirmed on Saturday that work may resume subject to full adherence to safety guidelines.
Although Serian’s API reading improved to 334 by 10.00am on Saturday, down from Friday's peak of 518, the air quality remains firmly within the hazardous range.
Uggah stated that the SDMC will closely monitor air quality trends over the next three days before advising Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on whether to maintain or lift the state of emergency.
He noted that regional air quality continues to be heavily influenced by changing wind patterns and active fire hotspots across the nearby border. Serian town is situated 38km from the Malaysia-Kalimantan border.
