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Malaysia Declares Emergency After Air Pollution Index Hits 521

9/5/2026

Summary

Southeast Asia Haze

Malaysia declared a state of emergency in Serian, Sarawak after the Air Pollutant Index hit 521.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s office said the order halts non-essential work and outdoor activities.
Indonesia arrested 112 suspected arsonists in ten provinces and suspended licences of five companies for fire violations.
Singapore issued daily haze advisories and the Philippines suspended classes in Metro Manila and over a dozen provinces.

Summary

Agency Deploys Waterbombing

Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency deployed water-bombing aircraft to fight fires near the new capital, Nusantara.
About 400 hectares burned near Nusantara, including roughly 300 hectares in Bukit Suharto park.
The agency operates 53 aircraft for water-bombing and cloud-seeding across six provinces, with Japan providing aircraft and personnel.
A South Kalimantan helicopter will join, while cloud-seeding awaits suitable conditions.
Hundreds of Muslims prayed for rain at the state palace on Sept 4.

Summary

Peat Fires Intensify

Peat fires emit up to three times more fine particulate matter than other tropical forest fires.
2015 Indonesian fires released 1.75 billion tons of greenhouse-gas equivalents, exceeding Japan’s annual emissions.
The “Godzilla” El Niño warmed central Pacific sea-surface temperatures by 2.45 °C, a record since 1950.
MODIS and VIIRS sensors often miss underground peat fires, causing under-reporting of peak smoke events.

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Southeast Asia Haze

Malaysia declared a state of emergency in Serian, Sarawak after the Air Pollutant Index hit 521.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s office said the order halts non-essential work and outdoor activities.
Indonesia arrested 112 suspected arsonists in ten provinces and suspended licences of five companies for fire violations.
Singapore issued daily haze advisories and the Philippines suspended classes in Metro Manila and over a dozen provinces.

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