{
  "id": 13280646,
  "title": "Batu Pahat tops API readings at 190, 32 locations unhealthy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/batu-pahat-tops-api-readings-at-190-32-locations-unhealthy",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-10T00:55:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/10/1552130/batu-pahat-tops-api-readings-190-32-locations-unhealthy"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Batu Pahat recorded the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 190, marking the country's worst air quality on 8am today, according to the Department of Environment's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS). The haze affecting several areas in Johor and Negri Sembilan has led to 32 locations nationwide recording unhealthy API readings, while 36 showed moderate air quality. The Klang Valley experienced the worst conditions, with nine locations, including Putrajaya, Cheras, and Shah Alam, registering API levels above 101. The worsening air quality prompted authorities to implement precautionary measures, including school closures in severely affected areas. The current haze episode is linked to forest and peatland fires in neighbouring Indonesia, where dry weather has accelerated the spread of fire and smoke across the region. Malaysia and Indonesia are stepping up cooperation to tackle transboundary haze through hotspot monitoring, enforcement against open burning, and enhanced firefighting measures.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Haze crisis worsens as unhealthy API readings force sweeping school closures in Putrajaya, Selangor and Rompin",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/haze-crisis-worsens-as-unhealthy-api-readings-force-sweeping-school",
        "published": "2026-10-09T00:56:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Selangor religious schools closed due to haze",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/selangor-religious-schools-closed-due-to-haze",
        "published": "2026-10-09T01:35:54.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}