KUCHING (Aug 31): An air pollutant index (API) reading of 500 will trigger a state of emergency in affected areas in Sarawak, said Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas.

He said the situation would then be referred to the National Disaster Management Agency in Kuala Lumpur (federal level) for further action in accordance with disaster management procedures.

"Should an emergency be declared, all offices as well as public and private sectors in the affected areas will be closed, with only essential services allowed to operate," he told reporters after chairing the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) meeting here on Monday.

Uggah, who is also Sarawak JPBN chairman, said the cross-border haze issue was a regional matter requiring the involvement of the governments concerned through established regional and diplomatic channels.

"In this regard, JPBN has contacted Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, who is the deputy chairman of the committee, to raise the current situation and facilitate engagement with Indonesia through established Asean channels.

"JPBN will continue to cooperate with the federal government to ensure Sarawak's concerns are conveyed through the appropriate national and Asean channels. Any proposal to assist neighbouring countries will also be considered and coordinated by the federal government through the proper governmental and diplomatic channels," he said.

On cloud seeding operations, Uggah said the initiative was expected to be carried out from Sept 3 to 5 as previously scheduled, subject to actual weather conditions at the time.

"The operation is not solely aimed at reducing the haze, but also helps replenish water resources, including dams and water supply sources, following the current prolonged dry spell," he said.

He said four water catchment areas were currently experiencing depletion, namely Simunjan, Lingga, Spaoh and Lijok.

Uploaded by Chng Shear Lane