Malaysia declared an emergency in the Serian Division of Sarawak after severe haze pushed the Air Pollutant Index (API) above 500, reaching a peak of around 519—a level considered extremely hazardous to public health and safety. The crisis was largely linked to forest and peat fires in Indonesia’s Kalimantan region, with smoke crossing the border and affecting parts of Malaysian Borneo. Other areas of Sarawak, including Kuching, Samarahan and Sri Aman, also recorded unhealthy to hazardous air-quality levels. The emergency declaration allows authorities to take stronger measures to protect residents, restrict non-essential activities and strengthen emergency responses. Schools in affected areas were also closed, while authorities carried out cloud-seeding operations to encourage rainfall and help reduce the haze. The episode highlights the regional nature of Southeast Asia’s seasonal haze problem, where fires in Indonesia can send smoke across borders into Malaysia, Singapore and neighbouring countries. The situation has also raised concerns over respiratory health, visibility, transportation and daily activities.