One can barely see an express boat on the Rajang River in such hazy condition.

SIBU: Express boat operators may be forced to reschedule trips or even cancel certain ones if the haze problem gets worse.

Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) controller William Jinep stressed that safety of passengers took priority, given that the current condition had limited the visibility along the river. However, he said so far there had been no rescheduling of departure times. “There is also no cancellation yet. Still, departure times could be rescheduled, especially for boats leaving dock between 6am and 8am.

he Sibu Express Boat Terminal is enveloped in a thick fog.

“I have instructed my officers in Sibu and Kapit to monitor the situation,” he said. Thick fog had limited the visibility of the express boat terminal here from Rajang Esplanade, despite being only a stone’s throw distance between the two. An observation made from Kapit Wharf near Khoo Peng Loong Road here yesterday could hardly see the express boats that were coming to berth. As of 4pm yesterday, this division recorded an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 92. However, Sri Aman registered the highest reading among all divisions at 128, followed by Samarahan (127), Kuching (119) and Sarikei (101).

Jinep reminded all vessels to travel at slow speed, as well as keep to the right side of the river. Operators of larger vessels, he added, must keep a sharp lookout for small boats. “Sound the horn when approaching bends. Keep to starboard (right) at all times".