Sarawak sets API 500 threshold for emergency declaration amid pollution concerns

Kuching — Sarawak's government has established a clear benchmark for invoking emergency measures in response to air pollution, setting the threshold at an API reading of 500 or above. The announcement came as several areas in the state grapple with deteriorating air quality conditions. The API serves as the primary indicator of air quality across Malaysia, with readings above 300 considered hazardous to health. Serian, a district in southwestern Sarawak, has remained particularly affected, with persistent hazardous air quality readings recorded in recent days. Authorities did not specify the duration or nature of the emergency declaration that would be triggered should the 500-point threshold be breached. The decision reflects Sarawak's approach to managing air quality crises, though environmental groups and residents in affected areas continue to monitor conditions closely. State officials have urged residents in areas experiencing poor air quality to take precautionary measures, including limiting outdoor activities and using air purifiers where possible.