Local Time in Serian, Malaysia

Local Vibe

The 2026 East Malaysian haze was a regional air pollution crisis caused primarily by transboundary smoke from forest and peatland fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia. In August 2026, prevailing winds transported the haze across Sarawak, a state in Malaysia, elevating the Air Pollution Index (API) to unhealthy levels in several urban centers, including the state capital of Kuching. In response, the government of Sarawak activated its State Disaster Management Committee to monitor air quality, issue public health advisories on face mask usage and prepare protocols for educational institution closures. Statistically, the primary driver of these seasonal fires is large-scale land clearing for commercial agriculture, predominantly within the pulpwood and oil palm sectors. Indonesian environmental authorities have since initiated legal investigations into several concessionaires and corporate subsidiaries for alleged involvement in illegal open burning and deforestation.