Home / Environment / Borneo Blazes Trigger Emergency in Malaysia
Borneo Blazes Trigger Emergency in Malaysia
4 Sep
Summary
- Malaysia declared an emergency in Serian due to severe haze.
- Air pollution in Serian reached a hazardous level of 521.
- Indonesia arrested 112 for allegedly starting forest fires.
An emergency has been declared in Serian, Sarawak, Malaysia, as severe haze from forest fires in Indonesia blankets the region. Air pollution levels in Serian, a town near the Indonesian border, reached a hazardous 521 on the Air Pollutant Index. The capital, Kuching, also recorded a dangerous reading of 311. The Malaysian King has consented to the emergency declaration to enable more effective response measures.
The haze is a recurring seasonal issue in Southeast Asia, exacerbated this year by elevated fire activity in Indonesia and prolonged dry conditions. Satellite data from Indonesia indicates hundreds of hot spots nationwide, with many active in the past 24 hours alone. Indonesian police have arrested 112 suspects accused of deliberately burning land for clearance.
Authorities in Indonesia are actively combating the fires and attempting to induce rainfall. Investigations are underway into numerous cases of deliberate land burning. Additionally, the business licenses of five companies have been suspended due to alleged involvement in forest and land fires within their concessions in Kalimantan.
