# Sarawak transboundary haze crisis

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/sarawak-transboundary-haze-crisis
> Updated: 2026-08-30T02:36:56.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 2.

Transboundary haze caused by forest fires and land clearing in Kalimantan, Indonesia, has led to severe air quality degradation in Sarawak, Malaysia. Initially, the Serian Municipal Council recommended that Indonesia provide compensation to the Sarawak government for economic and public health damages, noting that air pollution levels had entered the unhealthy category.

As the situation progressed, air quality deteriorated further, with some areas recording hazardous Air Pollutant Index readings exceeding 300 and Serian reaching levels as high as 475. In response, Sarawak authorities prepared to launch cloud seeding operations between September 3 and 5 to combat both the haze and critical water shortages. Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah Embas characterized the haze as a diplomatic issue, calling for federal intervention under the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution.

To address the crisis, Malaysia’s National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) will conduct cloud seeding operations from September 3 to 5 across Sarawak, Kedah, and Perlis. In Sarawak, the operation will target eight specific locations, including the Batang Ai, Bakun, and Murum dams, to mitigate the haze and replenish depleted reservoirs. Authorities have also mobilized firefighting assets and disaster management committees to address active hotspots. Additionally, drought conditions have necessitated the coordination of water supply assistance, including the distribution of bottled water to affected communities. In Singapore, the Meteorological Service Singapore has warned that hazy conditions may persist through the first half of September if regional fires intensify.

## Claims

- Serian recorded the highest API reading in Sarawak at 451. (disputed by 2 sources)
- Serian recorded an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 475, the highest in Sarawak. (disputed by 2 sources)
- An emergency declaration in Sarawak would only apply to specific areas where the API reaches 500. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Four locations in Sarawak, including Serian, Kuching, Samarahan, and Sri Aman, recorded API levels above 300. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- An emergency declaration would trigger the closure of schools, government offices, and private workplaces in the affected area. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Cloud seeding operations are being conducted in haze-affected areas in collaboration with METMalaysia and the Royal Malaysian Air Force. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Cloud seeding in Sarawak will be implemented at eight specific locations, including Batang Ai, Bakun, and Murum. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Singapore faces a potential haze risk in the first half of September due to regional fires and prevailing winds. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Asthma cases at sentinel facilities increased more than eightfold to 1,811 cases during Epidemiological Week 34. (single source)
- Sarawak officials have characterized the transboundary haze as a diplomatic issue involving Indonesia. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-30: Sarawak haze reaches hazardous levels as cloud seeding begins

Hazardous haze from Indonesian fires has pushed air quality in Sarawak to dangerous levels. NADMA will conduct cloud seeding in Malaysia from September 3-5 to mitigate the impact.

15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sarawak-plans-cloud-seeding-to-combat-water-crisis-and-haze

### 2026-08-12: Serian Council seeks Indonesian compensation for haze damage

The Serian Municipal Council has called for Indonesia to compensate Sarawak for economic and health damages caused by severe transboundary haze from Kalimantan fires.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/serian-council-seeks-indonesian-compensation-for-haze-damage

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Cite as: Sarawak transboundary haze crisis. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/sarawak-transboundary-haze-crisis