Malaysia lifts emergency declaration in Sarawak

Malaysia has lifted an emergency declaration due to fire haze in the district of Serian in Sarawak state after air quality readings dropped back below hazardous levels, but health risks remain, the Prime Minister's Office said on Monday.



Malaysia had declared the emergency on Friday after thick haze caused by fires in the Indonesian part of Borneo island pushed air pollution up to hazardous levels.



Sarawak has been heavily affected by fires in Indonesia's Kalimantan, with the haze forcing school closures in some parts of the state.



Malaysian authorities categorise Air Pollution Index (API) readings above 300 as hazardous, with a measurement of 500 the threshold for declaring an emergency.