Emergency remains: Uggah says Serian still under haze alert despite API improvement

Serian remains under a haze emergency as the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading, though improved, remains at a concerning level.

The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) is closely monitoring the situation, with the current API falling to 273, categorized as very unhealthy.

SDMC is observing API levels and will report to the Sarawak Premier and Prime Minister regarding potential changes to the emergency status.

Public health precautions are advised, and the committee is coordinating with relevant agencies to manage the situation and prioritize public safety.

KUCHING, Sept 5 — Serian remains under the haze emergency despite its Air Pollutant Index (API) reading improving from the hazardous level, with the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) continuing to closely monitor the situation.

SDMC chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said in a statement today that the Serian air quality monitoring station recorded an API reading of 334 as at 10am, placing the area in the hazardous category.

However, the reading fell to 273 by 2pm, bringing it into the very unhealthy category.

He said SDMC would monitor the API reading over the next three days to observe any fluctuations, particularly the possibility of it rising above 500.

“The API is primarily affected by the wind direction and source of hotspots,” he said.

Uggah said the monitoring would be carried out before any recommendation was made to the Sarawak Premier and Prime Minister regarding the status of the emergency in Serian.

Yesterday, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim consented to the declaration of an emergency in the Serian Division following worsening haze that had pushed air pollution to hazardous levels, with API readings exceeding 500.

The Prime Minister’s Office, in a statement yesterday, said the decision was made after taking into consideration the advice of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and relevant agencies monitoring air quality in the affected area.

Although Serian remains under the emergency, Uggah said government and private offices, as well as other workplaces in the affected area, may continue operating.

This includes industries, plantations, construction sites and quarries.

“However, they must take health precautionary measures,” he said.

Uggah said SDMC was also closely monitoring air quality, weather conditions, hotspots and haze movement across Sarawak so that appropriate action could be taken as the situation develops.

The public was advised to avoid outdoor activities, while those who could not avoid exposure outdoors were advised to wear an N95 mask or, at minimum, a three-ply mask.

Uggah also urged the public to take particular care of children, senior citizens and other vulnerable groups who may be more affected by the haze.

He said SDMC would continue to monitor the situation closely and issue further updates as necessary.

The committee would also continue working closely with relevant State and Federal agencies to manage the situation.

“The health, safety and wellbeing of the people of Sarawak remain our highest priority,” he said. — The Borneo Post

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虽然空气污染指数（API）读数有所改善，但仍处于令人担忧的水平，因此西连仍处于雾霾紧急状态。

砂拉越灾害管理委员会（SDMC）正在密切关注事态发展，目前的空气污染指数（API）已降至 273，被列为非常不健康。

SDMC正在观察API水平，并将向砂拉越州州长兼首相报告紧急状态的潜在变化。

建议采取公共卫生预防措施，委员会正在与相关机构协调，以控制局势并优先保障公众安全。

古晋，9月5日讯——尽管西连的空气污染指数（API）读数已从危险级别有所改善，但该地区仍处于雾霾紧急状态，砂拉越灾害管理委员会（SDMC）将继续密切监测情况。

南洋空气质量管理委员会主席拿督阿玛道格拉斯·乌加·恩巴斯今天在一份声明中表示，西连空气质量监测站上午 10 点的空气污染指数 (API) 读数为 334，该地区处于危险级别。

然而，到下午 2 点，读数降至 273，进入了非常不健康的类别。

他表示，SDMC将在接下来的三天内监测API读数，以观察任何波动，特别是其升至500以上的可能性。

他说：“API主要受风向和热点来源的影响。”

乌加表示，在向砂拉越州州长兼首相就西连的紧急状态提出任何建议之前，将会进行监测。

昨天，由于雾霾加剧，空气污染达到危险水平，API读数超过500，最高元首苏丹易卜拉欣同意在西连省宣布进入紧急状态。

首相办公室昨日发表声明称，该决定是在考虑了首相拿督斯里安华·易卜拉欣、砂拉越州行政长官拿督巴丁宜丹斯里阿邦佐哈里·敦·奥本以及监测受影响地区空气质量的相关机构的建议后做出的。

尽管塞里安仍处于紧急状态，但乌加表示，受影响地区的政府和私人办公室以及其他工作场所可以继续运营。

这包括工业区、种植园、建筑工地和采石场。

“但是，他们必须采取健康预防措施，”他说。

Uggah表示，砂拉越空气污染控制委员会也在密切监测砂拉越全境的空气质量、天气状况、热点地区和雾霾移动情况，以便根据情况发展采取适当的行动。

建议公众避免户外活动，而那些无法避免户外活动的人则建议佩戴 N95 口罩，或者至少佩戴三层口罩。

乌加还敦促公众特别关照儿童、老年人和其他可能更容易受到雾霾影响的弱势群体。

他表示，南澳州灾害管理中心将继续密切关注事态发展，并根据需要发布进一步的最新消息。

委员会还将继续与相关的州和联邦机构密切合作，以应对这一局面。

他说：“砂拉越人民的健康、安全和福祉仍然是我们的首要任务。”——《婆罗洲邮报》

马六甲州首席部长表示，该州将研究将基本工资设定为2500至2800令吉的提案。

马来西亚环境部表示，到2040年，马来西亚的塑料垃圾可能达到2.3亿吨，每年将有2300万吨塑料垃圾流入水道。

马来西亚气象局警告称，八个州将出现雷暴和强降雨，持续到下午6点。