{
  "id": 13403750,
  "title": "Unhealthy air and haze fail to deter visitors at Melaka tourist spots",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/unhealthy-air-and-haze-fail-to-deter-visitors-at-melaka-tourist-spots",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-10T11:31:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/10/unhealthy-air-and-haze-fail-to-deter-visitors-at-melaka-tourist-spots"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "MELAKA: Despite unhealthy air pollutant readings and smoke pollution from transboundary haze, tourist spots around Banda Hilir have continued to attract visitors since Thursday. Popular attractions such as the Stadthuys and Jonker Walk remain open, with souvenir and handicraft shops operating as usual. Although a few tourists and traders were seen wearing face masks, the haze did not deter visitors from exploring the area. Former civil servant Asmah Zulkifli, 66, from Kuala Lumpur, said the haze did not affect her and her friends' decision to visit Melaka, even attending a friend's wedding reception in Bukit Katil. Azhan Fikry Munawir, a trishaw peddler for 10 years, noted that tourism activities remained lively, with local and foreign tour groups visiting. Souvenir trader Amalina Zulkifli, 34, confirmed that the haze had not discouraged tourists, as the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Air pollution readings in Melaka declined compared to the previous day but remained in the unhealthy range, with Alor Gajah and Bandaraya Melaka each recording 164, and Bukit Rambai recording 163.",
  "summary": "Souvenir and handicraft shops remained open as usual, while few tourists and traders were seen wearing face masks.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "General : Melaka Tourist Spots Remain Busy Despite Unhealthy API Readings",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/general-melaka-tourist-spots-remain-busy-despite-unhealthy-api",
        "published": "2026-10-10T08:59:08.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Melaka tourist spots remain busy despite unhealthy API readings",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/melaka-tourist-spots-remain-busy-despite-unhealthy-api-readings",
        "published": "2026-10-10T11:01:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Unhealthy air and haze fail to deter visitors at Melaka tourist spots",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/unhealthy-air-and-haze-fail-to-deter-visitors-at-melaka-tourist-spots-13405574",
        "published": "2026-10-10T11:31:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}