Haze: Areas with API Exceeding 500 to be Declared Emergency – Uggah

KUCHING: Areas with Air Pollutant Index (API) readings reaching 500 will be declared an emergency by the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), said Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

He said, however, that the declaration would only involve the affected localities and not the whole of Sarawak.

“If an area reaches an API level of 500, the situation will be referred to NADMA in Kuala Lumpur (at the Federal level) for further action according to disaster management procedures.

“If an emergency is enforced, all offices as well as public and private sectors in the affected areas will be closed, and only essential services will be allowed to operate,” he told a press conference after chairing a meeting of the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) here today.

Uggah, who is also Chairman of the Sarawak JPBN, said the transboundary haze issue is a regional issue that requires the involvement of the governments of the affected countries through established regional and diplomatic channels.

“In this regard, JPBN has contacted the Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, who is the Deputy Chairman of the relevant 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 that Sarawak’s concerns are conveyed through the appropriate national and ASEAN channels. Any proposals to assist neighbouring countries will also be considered and coordinated by the Federal Government through proper government and diplomatic channels,” he said.

Regarding cloud seeding operations, Uggah said the initiative is expected to be carried out from 3 to 5 September as previously scheduled, subject to weather conditions at the time.

“The operation is not solely aimed at reducing haze, but also to help replenish water sources, including dams and water supply sources following the current prolonged dry spell,” he said.

He said four water catchment areas that are currently experiencing reduced levels are Simunjan, Lingga, Spaoh, and Lijok.

BERNAMA