Air pollution in Serian, a small agricultural town in Sarawak on the island of Borneo, reached a dangerous level on Friday, surpassing Malaysia’s emergency threshold. The Air Pollutant Index (API) in Serian climbed to 521, according to Malaysia’s environment department, while the capital of Sarawak, Kuching, recorded a hazardous reading of 311. These high levels of pollution are linked to seasonal haze, a recurring problem in Southeast Asia caused by forest and peat fires in Indonesia. Smoke from these fires often crosses borders, affecting Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore. In Malaysia, an API above 500 can trigger a haze emergency, which would lead to the suspension of nonessential work and outdoor activities. Schools in Malaysia are typically closed when the API exceeds 200, but no official emergency declaration has been made in Serian yet. Sarawak has been the most affected state in Malaysia this year, with several areas experiencing hazardous air quality over the past few days. This year’s haze has been particularly severe due to increased fire activity in Indonesia, especially in the province of Kalimantan on the island of Borneo. Prolonged dry weather has worsened the situation, leading to higher pollution levels across parts of Borneo. According to satellite data from Indonesia’s Forestry Ministry, there have been 717 fire-related hotspots nationwide since August 1, with 103 active hotspots detected in the past 24 hours alone. In response, Indonesian authorities have deployed firefighting resources and are trying to induce rain to help control the fires. In Kalimantan, enforcement has been strengthened, with five companies having their business licenses suspended over alleged involvement in forest and land fires. Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni has warned that penalties could extend beyond license suspensions, with companies failing to meet restoration requirements or committing criminal offenses facing potential prosecution.