State Government Activates Disaster Operations Command Centre

The Air Pollutant Index (API) in Kota Kinabalu, Keningau and Papar, has reached the “unhealthy” zone, with Kota Kinabalu recording the worst at 177, followed by Kimanis,166; and Keningau,165. A haze emergency or disaster will be declared when API readings reached 500 and beyond.

Datuk Zainudin Aman, State Secretary, who is also Chairman of the State Disaster Management Committee (Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Bencana Negeri or JPBN), said on 2nd September 2026, that strong wind movement towards Sabah from Kalimantan – which is fighting forest fires – has impacted API readings in Sabah and that the trend is expected to continue rising steadily as long as there is no rain in Kalimantan.

The State Government has activated the State Disaster Operations Command Centre (Pusat Kawalan Operasi Bencana or PKOB) and has implemented action plan in accordance with the National Haze Action Plan which is to categorise the areas as “Alert Level 1A.”

Among the prescribed measures fir Alert Level 1A are suspending activities outside classrooms, postponing co-curricular and sports activities, informing the public of API readings, stepping up enforcement and intensifying monitoring of industries and landfill sites.

Zainudin suggested that official outdoor government activities be cancelled or postponed if the API reading reaches or exceeds 200 and that for schools in areas where the API reading reaches or exceeds 200 be closed and switched to learning from home.

“Solat hajat should be held in every district for Muslims to seek protection and well-being,” Zainudin said. “For Sabahans of other faiths / religions/ beliefs, they are encouraged to do their own prayers or religious activities.”