KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia ended an emergency declaration over the Serian district in the northern Borneo state of Sarawak on Monday following an improvement in air quality.
As the air pollutant index (API) reading in Serian was no longer at a hazardous level, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg advised lifting the state of emergency, which was declared on Sept. 4, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.
"The federal government and the Sarawak state government will continue to closely monitor the situation, and residents in affected areas are advised to limit outdoor activities and to always comply with instructions from the authorities," it said.
The API in the district exceeded 500 last week, prompting the state government to request an emergency declaration.
According to the country's air quality rating, an API reading of zero to 50 is "good," 51 to 100 "moderate," 101 to 200 "unhealthy," 201 to 300 "very unhealthy," and 301 and above is "hazardous."
Malaysian authorities have attributed the prolonged hot and dry weather to increased haze and declining air quality. ■