Malaysia declares emergency in Serian district due to haze

Key facts

• Malaysia declared an emergency in the Serian district of Sarawak due to hazardous air pollution.
• The haze is caused by forest fires in Indonesia.
• Air pollution levels in Serian district reached 521.
• Schools have been closed in parts of Sarawak due to the haze.
• Malaysia's king, Sultan Ibrahim, consented to the emergency declaration.
• Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg advised the emergency declaration.

Malaysia declared an emergency on Friday across the Serian district of Sarawak on Borneo island after worsening haze from Indonesian forest fires pushed air pollution to levels considered dangerous to public health and safety. The Sarawak Government Administrative Center in Serian was shrouded in thick haze. The declaration was made after Malaysia's king, Sultan Ibrahim, consented to the advice from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg. Air pollution levels in Serian district reached 521, and school closures were implemented in parts of Sarawak.