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KUALA LUMPUR, AUGUST 2026 — Sibu has become the latest area in Sarawak to record an unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API), bringing the total number of locations in the state with unhealthy air quality to nine as of 9am on Saturday.
According to data from Malaysia’s Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), Sibu recorded an API reading of 131, placing the area firmly within the unhealthy category.
The latest readings show that the haze continues to affect several parts of Sarawak, with multiple monitoring stations registering API levels above 100.
Kuching Records Highest API Reading
Among the nine affected locations, Kuching recorded the highest API reading at 167 as of 9am.
It was followed by Samarahan at 164 and IPD Serian at 163.
Other areas in the unhealthy category were:
- Sarikei — 157
- Bintulu — 156
- Sri Aman — 154
- Mukah — 152
- Sibu — 131
- Samalaju — 126
The figures indicate that unhealthy air quality remains widespread across several parts of Sarawak rather than being limited to a single district.
A day earlier, eight areas in Sarawak had recorded unhealthy readings, with Sibu already registering an API of 109 in the early morning.
Across Malaysia, 46 locations were recording moderate API levels, while another 13 areas remained in the good category at the time of the latest update.
Under Malaysia’s API classification system, readings from 0 to 50 are considered good, while levels between 51 and 100 are classified as moderate.
An API reading between 101 and 200 is considered unhealthy, while 201 to 300 is classified as very unhealthy. Readings above 300 are categorised as hazardous.
The classification system is used to help authorities and the public assess potential health risks associated with deteriorating air quality.
Sarawak has experienced persistent haze conditions in recent days, with several monitoring stations repeatedly entering the unhealthy category.
On August 14, unhealthy readings were recorded in eight areas, including Serian, Samarahan, Kuching, Sri Aman, Sarikei, Mukah, Bintulu and Sibu. At that point, Serian recorded the highest API at 183, followed by Samarahan and Kuching at 172.
The latest figures on August 15 show that while some readings have eased compared with the previous morning, air quality remains unhealthy across a wide section of the state.
Sibu’s rise to 131 and Samalaju’s reading of 126 also demonstrate how haze conditions can shift between locations as weather patterns and airborne pollutants change.
Malaysia’s API readings are updated hourly using data from 68 air-quality monitoring stations nationwide, allowing the public and authorities to track changes in pollution levels throughout the day.
Because API levels can rise or fall within several hours, residents in affected areas are encouraged to follow the latest official readings before planning prolonged outdoor activities.
With nine areas of Sarawak now recording unhealthy air quality, haze conditions remain an environmental and public-health concern for communities across the state.
Authorities continue to monitor developments as API readings are updated throughout the day.
