DOE raises monitoring and enforcement to highest level after Serian haze emergency declared

The Department of Environment (DOE) has elevated air quality monitoring in response to the haze emergency in Sarawak, where API levels reached a hazardous 477.

DOE's operations align with the National Haze Action Plan, focusing on environmental quality monitoring and enforcing against pollution and open burning.

Public are urged to report fires or open burning to authorities for prompt action, as Sarawak faces widespread unhealthy air quality across multiple regions.

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 5 — The Department of Environment (DOE) will raise air quality monitoring and preparedness to the highest level following the declaration of a haze emergency in the Serian Division, Sarawak, after the Air Pollutant Index (API) reached a hazardous level of 477 last night.

DOE Deputy Director-General (Development) Azuri Azizah Saedon said the department would strengthen monitoring and field operations in line with the National Haze Action Plan (NHAP) and NADMA Directive No. 1: National Disaster Management Policy and Mechanism.

“The Department of Environment (DOE) takes note of the declaration of an emergency throughout the Serian Division, Sarawak, following haze conditions that have reached a level of air pollution hazardous to public health and safety.

“In this context, the DOE wishes to stress that its jurisdiction and responsibilities cover environmental quality monitoring, prevention and enforcement against open burning and pollution sources subject to environmental laws,” she said in a statement yesterday.

She said the overall disaster management would be carried out in an integrated manner with the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), the state government and relevant agencies according to their respective roles, functions and jurisdictions.

Besides Serian, three other areas in Sarawak recorded API readings at the very unhealthy level, namely Kuching (299), Samarahan (286) and Sri Aman (247). Another 18 areas nationwide also recorded unhealthy API readings.

To address the situation, she said DOE Sarawak had stepped up the Open Burning Prevention Operation (OMPT) through focused patrols at high-risk locations such as peatland, forests, landfill sites and agricultural areas.

“The DOE is also closely monitoring peatland bush fires at Jalan Sibujaya Barat, covering 10 hectares, and Sungai Nai, Daro, covering three hectares, in Mukah. Drone flights will be conducted to obtain the latest monitoring overview of the affected areas,” she said.

The public is urged to immediately report any fire or open burning incidents to the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department via 999 or the DOE’s toll-free line at 1-800-88-2727 to enable immediate action. — Bernama

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鉴于砂拉越的雾霾紧急情况，环境部 (DOE) 已提高空气质量监测级别，该地区的 API 水平达到危险的 477。

美国能源部的行动与国家雾霾行动计划相一致，重点是环境质量监测和打击污染和露天焚烧。

由于砂拉越多个地区面临大范围的空气质量不佳问题，当局敦促公众向有关部门报告火灾或露天焚烧情况，以便迅速采取行动。

吉隆坡，9月5日讯——由于昨晚空气污染指数（API）达到危险水平477，砂拉越西连省宣布进入雾霾紧急状态，环境部将把空气质量监测和准备工作提升至最高级别。

能源部副部长（发展）阿祖里·阿齐扎·赛登表示，该部门将根据《国家雾霾行动计划》（NHAP）和《国家灾害管理政策和机制》第 1 号指令加强监测和实地作业。

“环境部注意到，由于雾霾天气已达到危害公众健康和安全的空气污染水平，砂拉越西连省宣布进入紧急状态。

“在此背景下，能源部希望强调，其管辖范围和职责涵盖环境质量监测、预防和执法，打击露天焚烧和污染源，这些都受环境法律的约束，”她昨天在一份声明中说。

她表示，整体灾害管理将以综合方式进行，国家灾害管理署（NADMA）、州政府和相关机构将根据各自的角色、职能和管辖范围参与其中。

除了西连之外，砂拉越还有三个地区的空气污染指数（API）读数达到极不健康水平，分别是古晋（299）、三马拉汉（286）和斯里阿曼（247）。全国另有18个地区的空气污染指数也达到不健康水平。

她表示，为了应对这种情况，砂拉越环境部已加强露天焚烧预防行动（OMPT），重点巡逻高风险地点，如泥炭地、森林、垃圾填埋场和农业区。

“环境部也在密切监测穆卡县西布加亚巴拉特路（Jalan Sibujaya Barat）10公顷和达罗县双溪奈（Sungai Nai, Daro）3公顷的泥炭地灌木丛火灾。我们将进行无人机飞行，以获取受灾地区的最新监测概况，”她说道。

公众被敦促立即向马来西亚消防救援部门报告任何火灾或露天焚烧事件，可通过拨打999或环境部免费热线1-800-88-2727进行报告，以便及时采取行动。——马新社

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