Annisa Lisya Bazlina, Jakarta – Sarawak has ordered schools in several districts to close for two days as worsening haze affects air quality across the state. The move is aimed at protecting students from unhealthy air pollution.

According to The Strait Times, the closures affect schools in Kuching, Padawan, Bau, Lundu, Samarahan, Simunjan, Serian, Sri Aman, Lubok Antu and Betong. Nearly 200,000 students are affected, with lessons continuing through home-based learning.

Serian recorded Sarawak's highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at 193, followed by Kuching at 190 and Samarahan at 173. However, as of 11 a.m. on Friday, API levels in Serian rose to 239. An API reading above 200 is considered "very unhealthy" under Malaysia's air-quality classification.

The school closures came as haze conditions deteriorated across parts of Sarawak. Schools in Serian had also been closed earlier after air pollution levels briefly exceeded the unhealthy threshold.

As CNA reported, authorities have linked the haze to widespread wildfires in Kalimantan. Sarawak's environment board reported thousands of hotspots in Kalimantan between August 1 and 19, far exceeding the number recorded in Sarawak.

Officials warned that continued dry weather could worsen fires and increase the risk of transboundary haze. Smoke from West Kalimantan has already drifted into parts of western Sarawak.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2118038/worsening-haze-shuts-hundreds-of-sarawak-school