Malaysia haze worsens: 21 areas record unhealthy to hazardous air quality

Serian IPD recorded the country’s highest API reading at 475, while 20 other areas across Sarawak, Sabah, Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan also recorded unhealthy or worse air quality.

Malaysia’s haze situation has deteriorated, with 14 areas recording unhealthy air quality, three recording very unhealthy levels, and four reaching hazardous levels as of the morning of 31 August 2026.

According to the Department of Environment (DOE), just two areas recorded good air quality (namely Langkawi, Kedah and Kangar, Perlis) while 44 areas recorded moderate air quality.

The four areas recording hazardous Air Pollutant Index (API) readings were all in Sarawak:

Hazardous

• Serian IPD, Sarawak: API 475
• Samarahan, Sarawak: API 334
• Sri Aman, Sarawak: API 330
• Kuching, Sarawak: API 324

Very unhealthy

• Sarikei, Sarawak: API 271
• Sibu, Sarawak: API 219
• Mukah, Sarawak: API 214

Unhealthy

• Samalaju, Sarawak: API 180
• Miri, Sarawak: API 171
• ILP Miri, Sarawak: API 169
• Kapit, Sarawak: API 164
• Bintulu, Sarawak: API 161
• Limbang, Sarawak: API 159
• Sungai Petani, Kedah: API 157
• Labuan, Federal Territory of Labuan: API 157
• Seberang Jaya, Penang: API 156
• Seberang Perai, Penang Island: API 155
• Minden, Penang Island: API 153
• Tawau, Sabah: API 153
• Taiping, Perak: API 150
• Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic, Sabah: API 111

The DOE said air quality across the country had deteriorated, with several areas on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan recording unhealthy, very unhealthy and hazardous API readings.

The conditions were affected by the movement of haze smoke from various directions.

324 hotspots detected in Kalimantan

Based on a 30 August 2026 report by the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), NOAA satellite imagery detected 324 hotspots in Kalimantan and 42 hotspots in Sumatra.

Two hotspots were detected within Malaysia, with one in Perak and one in Sarawak.

The ASMC’s Regional Haze Map issued on 30 August showed dry weather conditions prevailing across most of the southern ASEAN region, although some parts of Peninsular Malaysia received rain.

Scattered to widespread hotspots were detected across Kalimantan and Sumatra, while a smaller number were detected in other parts of the southern ASEAN region.

Moderate to heavy cross-border smoke plumes were observed covering West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan, as well as Brunei and western and central parts of Sarawak.

Moderate cross-border smoke plumes were also observed moving from hotspot clusters in North Kalimantan towards southern Sabah.

At the same time, moderate to thick smoke plumes were observed from hotspot clusters across much of Kalimantan and central and southern Sumatra.

Many air quality monitoring stations in West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan, central and southern Sumatra, western Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak recorded readings in the unhealthy to hazardous range.

However, the ASMC said the overall condition of hotspots and haze in the region could not be fully determined due to cloud cover.

ASEAN activates Alert Level 3

Following the increase in hotspot activity and widespread haze conditions across the southern ASEAN region, the ASEAN Secretariat activated Alert Level 3 effective from 27 August 2026.

The activation was based on ASMC monitoring, assessment and forecasting, and was carried out in line with the ASEAN MAJER Standard Operating Procedures.

National Haze Action Plan sets out response

Under Malaysia’s National Haze Action Plan (NHA), the DOE said it is continuing to monitor air quality and coordinate responses with relevant agencies.

The plan sets out a series of measures based on the severity of API readings.

1. NADMA will activate the Disaster Management Committee at district, state or central level when API readings exceed 150 for more than 24 hours.
2. Outdoor activities at schools are to be stopped when the API exceeds 100.
3. Schools, kindergartens and nurseries are to close immediately when the API exceeds 200. They are also required to monitor API readings closely and prepare for closure when readings show an increasing trend towards 200.
4. Cloud seeding operations may be carried out when API readings exceed 150 for more than 24 hours, subject to the availability of suitable clouds and weather conditions.

The DOE said it, together with the relevant ministry and agencies involved in haze disaster management, will continue to respond quickly based on the actions set out under the plan.

DOE continues haze monitoring and enforcement

The DOE said it continues to monitor air quality nationwide, including API readings, hotspots, weather conditions and haze developments.

In Sarawak, the state DOE continues to conduct patrols, open burning prevention operations, monitoring and enforcement, particularly in areas identified as being at risk of open burning.

However, with API readings at several monitoring stations approaching 300, the department said the health and safety of personnel carrying out field work are also being taken into consideration.

Industries are also required to reduce air emissions from major sources in areas where API readings exceed 300.

At the field level, the DOE is strengthening its actions by continuing open burning prevention operations and carrying out periodic or daily patrols according to current needs and risk levels.

Monitoring and patrols are also being stepped up in forests, peatlands, landfills, agricultural and plantation areas, industrial areas and other locations that could become sources of open burning.

The department said firm and immediate enforcement action will be taken against open burning activities or identified sources of pollution in accordance with the law.

The DOE will also continue monitoring air quality, hotspots, meteorological conditions and the development of transboundary haze to support situation assessments and disaster management coordination at district, state and national levels.

Information on the situation, monitoring activities, patrols, open burning prevention operations and enforcement actions will also continue to be reported through established channels.

The department added that it will strengthen coordination with ministries, technical agencies, state authorities and other relevant agencies to implement preventive measures according to their respective roles and jurisdictions.

Preventive and enforcement measures against local sources of open burning will also continue to help prevent further deterioration in air quality.

The DOE said it will continue to monitor and assess the situation and take appropriate action under the National Haze Action Plan, with responses coordinated according to the severity and development of air quality conditions.

Public advised to monitor API readings

The public can check the latest hourly API readings through the DOE’s air quality monitoring system or the official MyJAS EQMS smartphone application.

The public is also advised to refer to the Ministry of Health Malaysia for health advice and preventive measures during haze conditions.

The DOE has reminded the public not to engage in open burning or allow land or premises to be accessed by irresponsible parties for activities that could result in open burning.

Under the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Act 2024, the fine for open burning offences has been increased to between RM25,000 and RM1mn, with imprisonment of up to five years, or both.

A compound of up to 50% of the maximum fine may also be imposed for each offence.

The public is encouraged to help extinguish small fires where possible and safe, and to report cases of open burning or fires to the Fire and Rescue Services Department or DOE.

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