Fahmi: Sarawak’s Malaysia Day celebration to be held indoors at BCCK; outdoor events off due to haze

Communications Minister and chairman of the 2026 National Day and Malaysia Day Celebrations Main Committee Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said Malaysia Day 2026 celebrations on September 16 will be held as scheduled at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), but outdoor events cannot be held due to the worrying haze situation in Kuching and Serian. — Picture by Yusof Isa

First Published: Wednesday, 02 Sep 2026 6:16 PM MYT

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 2 — Malaysia Day 2026 celebrations on September 16 will be held as scheduled at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), Sarawak, but outdoor events cannot be held due to the worrying haze situation in Kuching and Serian.

Communications Minister and chairman of the 2026 National Day and Malaysia Day Celebrations (HKHM) Main Committee Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the decision was made after taking into account the haze situation in both areas.

“The Cabinet also took note that the rather worrying haze situation in Kuching and Serian means that outdoor events cannot proceed.

“But the Malaysia Day celebrations will be held indoors on the evening of September 16,” he told a post-Cabinet meeting press conference here today.

Fahmi also said the Cabinet was informed by the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry today that the cloud-seeding operation in Sarawak could not proceed as the cloud formations currently detected were unsuitable, due to wind movements that could potentially carry the clouds towards the South China Sea.

“So, if cloud seeding were carried out, the rain would not fall in the areas where it is needed,” he said.

Three areas in Sarawak recorded hazardous Air Pollutant Index readings as of 8 am today, with the Serian District Police Headquarters recording the highest reading at 320, followed by Kuching (318) and Samarahan (302).

Meanwhile, Fahmi said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed his appreciation and congratulations to the entire team that successfully organised the 2026 National Day celebrations at Dataran Putrajaya on Monday.

He said more than 100,000 people attended the celebrations, while more than 10,000 people participated as contingents and in the human graphic formation performance.

“We believe the programmes held alongside the main celebrations also provided visitors to Putrajaya with a new and positive experience in conjunction with National Day,” he said. — Bernama