The Malaysia Day 2026 celebrations scheduled for 16 September will be held indoors at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) due to worsening haze in Kuching and Serian, officials announced on 2 September [1, 2, 3]. The Cabinet noted that outdoor events planned for the festivities could not proceed amid the worrying haze situation, which has seen air quality reach hazardous levels in the region [1, 2].
Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said, "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 Sept 16." [2] The haze has caused Air Pollutant Index (API) readings to spike to hazardous levels, with Serian District Police Headquarters at 351, Kuching between 318 and 332, and Samarahan at 302 to 311 as of the morning of 2 September [2, 4, 5].
Attempts to conduct cloud seeding in Sarawak have been hampered by unsuitable cloud formations and wind patterns pushing clouds out to the South China Sea. Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil explained, "So, if cloud seeding were carried out, the rain would not fall in the areas where it is needed." [6]
The haze situation has also disrupted air travel. Two AirBorneo Airways flights from Kuching to Mukah and Tanjung Manis were cancelled on or before 1 September, affecting 24 and 5 passengers respectively [4, 7]. According to Jun Iskandar Murshidi, senior manager at Kuching International Airport, "As at 4.25pm, two flights were cancelled." Despite this, overall airport operations remained largely unaffected with visibility remaining above minimum requirements [4].
Earlier on 31 August, the 2026 National Day celebrations in Putrajaya drew over 100,000 attendees and had more than 10,000 participants in contingents and performances. Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil expressed appreciation for the National Day organizers, noting they provided visitors with a "new and positive experience." [1, 2, 5, 6, 8]
The indoor Malaysia Day celebrations in Kuching will take place on the evening of 16 September as the haze situation is monitored and contingency measures remain in place [1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9].
