Malaysia Activates National Haze Action Plan as Air Quality Worsens

KUALA LUMPUR, AUGUST 2026 — Malaysia has activated the National Haze Action Plan as authorities step up coordinated measures to address worsening haze conditions and open burning across the country, with Sarawak among the areas most affected.

The Department of Environment (DOE) said the National Open Burning Action Plan has also been activated as air quality deteriorates, allowing government agencies to coordinate enforcement, monitoring and emergency responses.

Under the National Haze Action Plan, the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) will activate disaster management committees at district, state or federal level if the Air Pollutant Index (API) exceeds 150 continuously for more than 24 hours.

The move comes as several areas in Sarawak record unhealthy air quality. On Saturday, Serian recorded an API of 171, followed by Kuching and Samarahan at 154, Sri Aman at 139 and Bintulu at 124.

The worsening air quality has also prompted measures aimed at reducing exposure among children and students.

All activities outside classrooms must be suspended once the API exceeds 100. Schools, kindergartens and childcare centres must close immediately if the index rises above 200.

Educational institutions are also required to monitor API readings closely and prepare for possible closure when pollution levels approach the 200 threshold.

These measures are particularly important because prolonged exposure to polluted air can present greater risks to vulnerable groups, including children, older adults and people with existing respiratory conditions.

Cloud seeding operations may also be conducted if the API remains above 150 for more than 24 hours, although such operations will depend on suitable cloud formation and weather conditions.

The DOE said it will work alongside ministries and agencies involved in haze disaster management to implement measures outlined under the national action plan.

Attention is also being directed towards open burning, which can further worsen local air pollution during dry conditions.

Satellite observations dated August 7 detected 25 hotspots across Malaysia, including 22 in Sarawak, two in Selangor and one in Terengganu.

Landowners have been advised to closely monitor areas vulnerable to fires, including landfills, forests, peatlands, plantations, agricultural land and industrial areas.

Members of the public have also been reminded not to conduct open burning or allow their land and premises to be used for activities that could trigger fires.

Authorities have warned that open-burning offences carry significant penalties under the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Act 2024.

Those convicted can face fines ranging from RM25,000 to RM1 million, imprisonment of up to five years, or both.

The activation of the national plan comes amid concerns over transboundary haze, with smoke movement contributing to deteriorating air conditions in several areas.

As haze conditions continue to develop, residents in affected areas are encouraged to monitor official API readings and reduce unnecessary exposure to polluted outdoor air, particularly when readings reach unhealthy levels.

The situation is expected to remain under close observation, with authorities prepared to escalate measures if air pollution continues to worsen.

For public health, the activation of the plan provides a framework for reducing exposure to unhealthy air, particularly among schoolchildren and other vulnerable groups, while coordinating a broader government response to the haze.

Members of the public are also encouraged to report open-burning incidents to the relevant authorities as Malaysia intensifies efforts to prevent further deterioration in air quality.