By: Nurul Fazliana Norman
KOTA KINABALU: Sept 1, 2026 – Five air quality monitoring stations in Sabah recorded Air Pollutant Index (API) readings at unhealthy levels as of 5pm today, due to cross-border haze believed to be originating from forest and peatland fires in Kalimantan.
The Sabah Department of Environment (JAS) in a media statement today informed that the five stations are Kota Kinabalu with an API reading of 177, Kimanis (166), Keningau (165), Politeknik (159), and Tawau (153).
However, the Sandakan station still recorded a moderate level reading of 93.
According to JAS, the transboundary haze is caused by smoke from fires in Kalimantan being carried by winds across Borneo, including into Sabah.
Based on a report from the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) on Aug 31, a total of 253 hotspots were detected in Kalimantan and 63 in Sumatra, while no hotspots were detected in Sabah based on NOAA-20 satellite imagery.
JAS has also stepped up daily patrols in the Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Papar, Beaufort, Sandakan, and Tawau areas to detect open burning activities, particularly in sensitive areas and locations near air quality monitoring stations.
To date, a total of 492 patrols under the Open Burning Prevention Operations (OMPT) have been carried out.
The public is advised to obtain the latest API readings via the JAS website or the MyJAS EQMS application, and to avoid open burning activities.
JAS also reminded the public that open burning offences carry fines of between RM25,000 and RM1 million, or imprisonment of up to five years, or both, under Section 29(A) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
Members of the public are also urged to report any open burning incidents or fires to the Fire and Rescue Department at 999 or JAS at 1-800-88-2727.
