KUCHING, Aug 31 — An Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 500 will trigger a state of emergency in affected areas in Sarawak, said Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas.
He said the state would refer to the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) for further action in accordance with disaster management procedures.
“Should an emergency be declared, all offices as well as public and private sectors in the affected areas will be closed, with only essential services allowed to operate,” he told reporters after leading a Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) meeting here today.
Uggah, who is Sarawak JPBN chairman, said the transboundary haze is a regional matter requiring the involvement of governments concerned through established regional and diplomatic channels.
“JPBN has contacted Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, who is deputy chairman of the committee, to raise the current situation and facilitate engagement with Indonesia through established ASEAN channels.
“JPBN will continue to cooperate with the federal government to ensure Sarawak’s concerns are conveyed through the appropriate national and ASEAN channels. Any proposal to assist neighbouring countries will also be considered and coordinated by the federal government through the proper governmental and diplomatic channels,” he said.
Uggah also said cloud seeding will be carried out from Thursday to Saturday, subject to actual weather conditions.
“The operation is not aimed at just reducing the haze, but also to help replenish water resources, including dams and water supply sources, following the current prolonged dry spell,” he said.
Uggah said four water catchment areas—Simunjan, Lingga, Spaoh and Lijok—are being depleted.
