Malaysia Haze 2026: Why Staying Indoors May Not Be Enough — And How an Air Purifier Can Help

Updated: 22 August 2026

If the sky over Kuching has looked unusually grey lately, it is not just cloudy weather.

Sarawak is once again experiencing serious haze and poor air quality, with smoke from land and forest fires in Kalimantan contributing to transboundary haze across Borneo.

As of 4pm on 22 August 2026, Kuching recorded an Air Pollutant Index (API) of 189, which falls within the unhealthy category. Samarahan recorded 179, Sri Aman 176 and several other areas of Sarawak also remained at unhealthy levels.

Just one day earlier, Kuching recorded an API of 186, while nearby Serian reached 241 — very unhealthy.

For families in Kuching and other parts of Sarawak, this raises an important question:

Is staying indoors enough to protect you from haze?

Unfortunately, not always.

Outdoor smoke can enter homes and buildings, meaning the air inside your bedroom, living room, office, childcare centre or other indoor space may still contain fine airborne particles.

That is why managing indoor air quality becomes especially important during a prolonged haze period.

What Is Causing the Haze in Kuching and Sarawak?

The current haze affecting Sarawak is closely linked to fires and hotspots across Borneo, particularly in West Kalimantan, Indonesia.

On 20 August, reports indicated that West Kalimantan had recorded more than 4,000 hotspots, with authorities warning that ongoing fires could prolong the haze affecting Sarawak.

Another Sarawak report recorded 7,286 hotspots across Kalimantan between 1 and 19 August, compared with 148 detected in Sarawak during the same period.

Smoke does not stop at national borders.

Depending on wind direction, weather and atmospheric conditions, smoke from fires can travel considerable distances. Sarawak's Natural Resources and Environment Board said on 20 August that hazy conditions were expected to persist, driven by transboundary smoke from regional biomass burning. At noon that day, Kuching's API had reached 188.

The problem has become significant enough to disrupt daily life.

Schools across Sarawak were ordered to close temporarily as air quality deteriorated, affecting around 200,000 students, according to reports on 21 August.

This is therefore more than a visibility problem.

It is an air quality problem.

Latest Kuching Air Quality: What Does an API of 189 Mean?

Malaysia's Air Pollutant Index categorises air quality according to pollution levels.

An API reading above 100 falls into the unhealthy range, while readings above 200 enter the very unhealthy range.

On 22 August 2026, Kuching's API was reported at 189 at 4pm, placing the city relatively close to the very unhealthy threshold.

Conditions can change throughout the day depending on wind, rain, fire activity and other factors, so residents should continue checking Malaysia's official air-quality updates rather than relying only on how the sky looks.

Haze can sometimes appear lighter even when air pollution remains elevated.

Why Is Haze Harmful?

One of the biggest concerns associated with smoke and air pollution is particulate matter, including very small particles known as PM2.5.

PM2.5 refers to particles measuring 2.5 micrometres or smaller.

These particles are concerning because they are small enough to travel deep into the respiratory system.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that particulate matter can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, contributing to cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and respiratory effects. Both short-term and long-term exposure to particulate pollution have been associated with negative health outcomes.

Short-term exposure to elevated particulate matter can contribute to reduced lung function, respiratory infections and aggravated asthma. Long-term exposure is associated with increased risks of conditions including heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and some cancers.

Children, older adults and pregnant women are among the groups WHO identifies as more susceptible to the effects of air pollution.

That is why air quality during haze periods deserves particular attention in:

• Homes with babies and young children

• Childcare centres and kindergartens

• Schools and tuition centres

• Homes with elderly family members

• Offices where people remain indoors for many hours

• Bedrooms and other spaces where people spend extended periods
  

“I'll Just Stay Home” — Why Indoor Air May Still Be Affected by Haze

Staying indoors during severe haze is generally an important way of reducing exposure.

But there is a common misunderstanding:

Being indoors does not automatically mean the indoor air is clean.

Outdoor smoke can still enter a building through doors, windows, ventilation systems and gaps in the building envelope.

Research referenced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has examined how PM2.5 from forest-fire smoke infiltrates homes. The research found that combining staying indoors with the use of an air cleaner could reduce exposure to fine particles during forest-fire smoke events.

The U.S. EPA also recommends creating cleaner indoor air during wildfire smoke events and discusses the use of portable air cleaners and high-efficiency filtration as part of reducing indoor particle concentrations.

So during a haze episode, the goal should not simply be:

“Stay indoors.”

A better approach is:

Stay indoors and improve the quality of the air inside.

Why Use an Air Purifier During Haze?

An air purifier continuously draws indoor air through its filtration system and returns filtered air to the room.

For haze conditions, filtration is particularly relevant because much of the concern surrounds fine airborne particles.

HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air. The U.S. EPA explains that HEPA is a pleated mechanical filter commonly used in portable air cleaners and that this type of filter can theoretically remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles at 0.3 microns under its defined testing standard.

Importantly, buying any air purifier is not enough.

The purifier also needs to be appropriately sized for the room.

EPA guidance for wildfire smoke recommends selecting a portable HEPA air cleaner that is suitable for the size of the space being cleaned. Larger rooms may require a larger-capacity purifier or multiple units.

This is particularly relevant for Malaysian homes, offices, kindergartens and commercial spaces because room sizes can vary significantly.

Why Consider a Coway Air Purifier for Haze in Malaysia?

Coway Malaysia currently offers several air purifier models covering different room sizes and requirements.

The current range includes:

Coway Studio, Coway Suite, Coway Atrium, Coway Storm II and Coway Lombok III.

Rather than simply choosing the most expensive model, the better approach is to match the air purifier to the size and use of your room.

1. Coway Studio — For Bedrooms and Personal Spaces

The Coway Studio Air Purifier is designed for spaces of up to 76 m² (818 sq ft).

It uses Coway's three-layer filtration system consisting of a pre-filter, Green True HEPA filter and deodorisation filter.

Coway states that the Studio's filtration system removes up to 99.999% of airborne impurities under its specified testing conditions. Its deodorisation filter is designed to neutralise smoke, odours and common household gases.

Studio also provides 360° purification and has Auto, Sleep, Turbo and Eco modes.

At a rated noise level of 21.6 dB, it is particularly interesting for:

Best suited for: Bedrooms, home offices, children's rooms and personal living spaces.

2. Coway Suite — For Larger Family Living Areas

The Coway Suite Air Purifier increases coverage to 92 m² (990 sq ft).

Like Studio, Suite uses a 3-in-1 Composite HEPA Filter and Coway's HyperVortex air technology.

Suite also incorporates sensors for PM10, PM2.5 and PM1.0, along with an air-quality display, allowing users to monitor changes in indoor particle levels more easily.

Its larger coverage makes it a good option for family areas where several people spend time together.

Best suited for: Living rooms, larger apartments, family areas and medium-sized shared spaces.

3. Coway Atrium — For Large Homes, Offices and Childcare Spaces

For much larger areas, the Coway Atrium Air Purifier provides coverage of up to 116 m² (1,248 sq ft).

Atrium uses dual motors and double-sided filtration, with filtration on both sides of the unit.

Its system includes pre-filters, deodorisation filters and HEPA filtration. Sensors monitor PM1.0, PM2.5 and PM10 in real time, while its air-quality indicator provides a visual indication of conditions.

For businesses or organisations dealing with haze in Kuching, the larger coverage can make Atrium particularly relevant.

Best suited for: Large living rooms, offices, reception areas, childcare centres, kindergartens and larger shared spaces.

4. Coway Storm II — Built With Haze in Mind

For customers particularly concerned about haze, the Coway Storm II Air Purifier is worth considering.

Storm II covers up to 50 m² and includes a dedicated Haze Mode alongside Smart, Turbo and Sleep modes.

Its four-step filtration system includes a pre-filter, Air Matching Filter, double deodorisation filter and Copper HEPA Filter (H13).

Coway states that Storm II's filtration system can remove up to 99.999% of ultrafine dust and 99.9% of certain airborne viruses, bacteria and black mould under the company's specified testing conditions.

The dedicated Haze Mode and multidirectional airflow make this model particularly relevant during periods of poor air quality.

Best suited for: Bedrooms, apartments and medium-sized rooms where haze protection is a priority.

5. Coway Lombok III — Multi-Stage Air Treatment

The Coway Lombok III Air Purifier also covers approximately 50 m².

Its filtration configuration includes Air Matching filtration, Double HEPA filtration, RBD Plasma, a catalyst filter and deodorisation filtration.

It also provides several operating modes including Auto, Manual, Silent, Turbo and Eco.

Best suited for: Homes seeking a multi-stage filtration system for everyday indoor air-quality management.

Which Coway Air Purifier Is Best for Haze?

There isn't one model that is automatically best for every home.

The best air purifier for haze depends primarily on the room you want to protect.

Coway Air Purifier	Coverage	Recommended Use
Studio	Up to 76 m²	Bedroom, children's room, home office
Suite	Up to 92 m²	Living room, family area
Atrium	Up to 116 m²	Large home, office, childcare or commercial space
Storm II	Up to 50 m²	Bedroom or medium room; dedicated Haze Mode
Lombok III	Up to 50 m²	Bedroom and medium-sized living spaces

For example, purchasing a purifier designed for 50 m² and expecting it to effectively manage a very large open-plan commercial area would not be ideal.

Room size matters.

For larger childcare centres, offices or homes, multiple air purifiers may also be more appropriate than relying on one unit for the entire building.

Air Purifier for Childcare Centres and Kindergartens in Kuching

The current Sarawak haze situation is particularly relevant for childcare centres and kindergartens.

Children spend many hours indoors, often together in classrooms, sleeping areas and activity rooms.

WHO identifies children as one of the groups more susceptible to health effects associated with air pollution.

During the current haze episode, Sarawak authorities have already advised schools to suspend outdoor activities when API readings exceed 100.

For childcare operators, improving indoor air quality can therefore form part of a broader haze-management strategy.

Depending on room size, Coway Studio or Suite may be appropriate for individual rooms, while the larger Atrium, with coverage up to 116 m², may be more suitable for larger shared spaces.

The correct configuration should always be based on the actual room dimensions and layout.

What Should Kuching Residents Do During Haze?

An air purifier should be considered one part of an overall haze-protection strategy, rather than a device that makes outdoor pollution irrelevant.

When air quality is poor:

1. Check official API readings regularly.

2. Reduce unnecessary outdoor activity when pollution levels are elevated.

3. Keep doors and windows closed when outdoor smoke levels are high.

4. Avoid adding unnecessary indoor pollution, such as cigarette smoke or open burning.

5. Run an appropriately sized air purifier in the rooms where you spend the most time.

6. Check and replace air-purifier filters according to the manufacturer's instructions, particularly during periods of heavy smoke.

The EPA notes that filters can become dirty more quickly during heavy smoke events and may require more frequent attention.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kuching Haze and Air Purifiers

Is Kuching experiencing haze right now?

Yes. On 22 August 2026, Kuching recorded an API of 189 at 4pm, within the unhealthy range. Air-quality conditions can change throughout the day, so residents should check the latest official API readings.

Is the Kuching haze coming from Kalimantan?

Current reports indicate that transboundary smoke from fires in Kalimantan is a major contributor to the haze affecting Sarawak. Thousands of hotspots have been detected across Kalimantan during August.

Is it safe to stay indoors during haze?

Staying indoors can reduce exposure, but it does not guarantee pollution-free indoor air. Smoke particles can infiltrate buildings. Using appropriate filtration can further reduce indoor particulate levels.

Does an air purifier help with haze?

A properly sized air purifier using high-efficiency particle filtration can help reduce airborne particle concentrations indoors. EPA research and guidance support the use of appropriately sized high-efficiency air cleaners as part of managing indoor air during wildfire-smoke events.

What is the best Coway air purifier for haze?

It depends on your room size and needs. Storm II includes a dedicated Haze Mode and covers up to 50 m². Studio covers up to 76 m², Suite up to 92 m² and Atrium up to 116 m².

Which Coway air purifier is suitable for a large room?

Among the models discussed here, Coway Atrium has the largest stated coverage at up to 116 m², followed by Suite at 92 m² and Studio at 76 m².

Do I still need an air purifier if my windows are closed?

Closing windows can help reduce smoke entering your home, but buildings are not completely airtight. Outdoor PM2.5 can still infiltrate indoors. High-efficiency air filtration can further reduce indoor particle concentrations.

Protect the Air Where You Spend the Most Time

We cannot control the direction of the wind.

We cannot personally stop forest fires hundreds of kilometres away.

But we can take practical steps to manage the air inside the spaces where our families spend most of their time.

With Kuching and other parts of Sarawak experiencing unhealthy air quality in August 2026, now is a good time to review the indoor air quality in your home, office, kindergarten or childcare centre.

Coway currently offers air purifiers for spaces ranging from approximately 50 m² to 116 m², including:

Coway Studio • Coway Suite • Coway Atrium • Coway Storm II • Coway Lombok III

🌿 Not sure which Coway air purifier is suitable for your space?

Send me your approximate room size or floor area, and I can recommend the most suitable Coway air purifier based on your space and requirements.

Special Coway promotions are currently available.

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Hello, I’m Daniel Jong, a professional health planner at Coway. I have over 6 years of experience in this industry, and I've helped more than 400 families improve their living quality, leading to healthier and better lifestyles. Click here NOW, so that I can help you solve your problems and needs.