PETALING JAYA: An emergency has been declared in Serian, Sarawak, following the worsening haze situation there.

The Prime Minister’s Office said His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, consented to the declaration of the emergency.

“The decision was made after taking into account the advice of the Prime Minister and Premier of Sarawak alongside related agencies, regarding air quality in the affected area,” said the Prime Minister’s Office in a statement on Friday (Sept 4).

It added that more effective measures will be taken to protect the health and welfare of affected residents.

“The government will continue monitoring the situation and ensure all necessary measures are taken immediately, including mitigation measures as well as the dissemination of information and health advisories to the public,” it said.

Earlier Friday, the Air Pollutant Index surged to 519 in Serian, the highest recorded ever since the current transboundary haze episode impacted Malaysia earlier this year.