According to the regional bloc ASEAN, the transboundary haze is the worst episode since 2015, driven by an intensifying El Nino weather pattern that has fueled prolonged dry weather and an increase in fire hotspots across the region.
Hazardous Air Quality Readings Across Sarawak and Kalimantan
Air quality indexes climbed past dangerous thresholds across the affected region during August. According to Malaysia’s Air Pollutant Index, six areas in Sarawak recorded hazardous levels above 300. In Kuching, the state capital, the index hit 407, while Serian reached 408. Across the border in Indonesia, cities in Kalimantan faced even more severe conditions; IQAir data showed Palangkaraya reaching 780 and Pontianak hitting 593 on Monday, according to Berton Panjaitan, an official at Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency.
Visibility dropped to about a kilometre in Kuching, where resident Mia Emylia Hassan, 33, reported that the smell of smoke has been inescapable for over a month. Indonesian officials reported that hotspots in West Kalimantan nearly doubled on Monday to 7,377, while active fires rose to 104. Government figures indicate that fires between January and July burned more than 200,000 hectares across Borneo and Sumatra, with nearly 95,000 hectares burning in July alone.
Did you know? Peatland fires can smoulder underground for weeks even after appearing extinguished on the surface, making them exceptionally stubborn to fight without sustained rainfall, according to Malaysian atmospheric scientist Jayaprakash Muralitharan.
Surge in Asthma and Respiratory Illnesses Nationwide
Malaysia’s Ministry of Health reported a sharp rise in illness nationwide as the toxic smoke persisted. Asthma cases climbed to 1,811 during the week of August 23 to 29, up sharply from 219 the previous week, while conjunctivitis cases rose to 720 from 146. In Indonesia, Dante Saksono Harbuwono stated that approximately 13,500 people were treated for respiratory infections in July and August, with about 5.5 million people directly exposed to smoke across Borneo and Sumatra.
Patients nationwide have felt the immediate physical toll of the haze. Karen-Michaela Tan, a 52-year-old asthma patient living near Kuala Lumpur, said she needed two nebuliser treatments back to back and a heavy dose of steroids after the haze thickened. “Doctors are erring on the side of caution when it comes to asthma patients, choosing to up dosages rather than risk a patient being hospitalised for shortness of breath,” she said.
Cancellations of Independence Day Events and School Closures
The severe pollution forced Sarawak to cancel its outdoor Independence Day celebrations on Monday. Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah Embas warned that any area where readings cross 500 will be placed under a local emergency, resulting in the closure of all public and private offices with only essential services allowed to operate. In contrast, skies in Kuala Lumpur cleared just enough during the morning parade to reveal blue sky for the first time in a week.
Outdoor pursuits are halted once the index hits 100 per Ministry of Education guidelines, and schools are required to shut down when it reaches 200. Nearly 600 schools in and around Kuching shut on August 20 and 21, affecting roughly 200,000 students, while 30 more schools in Sarawak closed on August 28. Youth sports have also halted; Yap Kai Jinn, a coach at Square One Football academy in Kuala Lumpur, confirmed that all training sessions and matches have been cancelled since last week due to health and safety concerns.
Enforcement Against Illegal Land Clearing
According to researchers, the blazes are predominantly intentional, with smallholders and plantation companies burning peatlands rich in carbon as well as rainforests to clear land for farming, palm oil, and pulp and paper manufacturing. Because the practice is illegal, Indonesian police announced that they had arrested 72 people suspected of setting recent fires. Helena Varkkey, a specialist on transboundary haze at Universiti Malaya, noted that the intensifying El Nino means hotter and drier conditions, ensuring that any fires will have a bigger and longer regional impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes the Southeast Asian haze crisis?
The haze is primarily caused by forest and peatland fires in Indonesia, particularly in Kalimantan and Sumatra, set to clear land for agriculture and palm oil production. These fires are exacerbated by prolonged dry weather from an intensifying El Nino weather pattern.
Which areas are most affected by the toxic smoke?
The smoke has heavily impacted the Malaysian state of Sarawak on the island of Borneo, parts of peninsular Malaysia including Kuala Lumpur, Brunei, Singapore, and Indonesian provinces in Kalimantan and Sumatra.
When is air quality expected to improve?
Atmospheric scientists note that human intervention offers only temporary relief until sustained seasonal rains arrive, which are expected around late September or October.
What health precautions are officials taking?
Malaysia’s Ministry of Education suspends outdoor school activities when the Air Pollutant Index reaches 100 and mandates school closures at 200. ASEAN has activated its highest Level 3 transboundary haze alert for the southern region.
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