{
  "id": 1369018,
  "title": "Haze returns: What Malaysians need to know as air quality deteriorates",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/haze-returns-what-malaysians-need-to-know-as-air-quality-deteriorates",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-16T23:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/08/17/haze-returns-what-malaysians-need-to-know-as-air-quality-deteriorates/231225"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Malaysia is currently experiencing the return of a familiar environmental issue - haze, which has once again led to deteriorating air quality across several states. As of Aug 13, 11 areas across the country were reported to have unhealthy air quality levels, with Sarawak being the worst-affected state, according to data from the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System portal. The primary cause of this haze is attributed to forest and land fires, primarily in neighbouring Indonesia, where extensive land-clearing practices often result in significant emissions. Meteorologists have warned that the haze may persist without significant rainfall, potentially affecting air quality and public health across Malaysia due to its geographical location and tropical climate.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Haze returns: What Malaysians need to know as air quality deteriorates",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/haze-returns-what-malaysians-need-to-know-as-air-quality-deteriorates-1370230",
        "published": "2026-08-16T23:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}