{
  "id": 2691263,
  "title": "Breathe easy? Not today as Sarawak chokes and Selangor, Perak and Kedah cough",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/breathe-easy-not-today-as-sarawak-chokes-and-selangor-perak-and-kedah",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-23T01:34:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/08/23/breathe-easy-not-today-as-sarawak-chokes-and-selangor-perak-and-kedah-cough/232350"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On August 23, Malaysia faced another day of hazy skies, with Sarawak bearing the brunt of the smog, according to the Malaysian Air Pollution Index Management System portal. As of 9am, seven locations nationwide fell into the unhealthy range on the Air Pollutant Index (API), with Serian recording the highest reading at 194, just six points away from the \"very unhealthy\" threshold. Kuching, Sri Aman, and Samarahan followed with API readings of 183, 177, and 175, respectively. In peninsular Malaysia, Johan Setia in Selangor led with 157, Sungai Petani in Kedah logged 140, and Taiping in Perak registered 121. The Department of Environment monitors air quality through 68 stations across the country, updating the readings hourly. The recent surge in air pollution coincides with the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre flagging clusters of hotspots in West and South Kalimantan and Sumatra, where moderate to dense smoke plumes have been observed. Prevailing winds are blowing from the southeast. Although no location has breached the \"very unhealthy\" mark yet, those in affected areas are advised to limit outdoor activities and wear masks when venturing outside.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 23 — Malaysia woke up to hazy skies again this morning, with Sarawak bearing the brunt of the sm...",
  "key_points": [
    "Sarawak experiences highest smog levels in Malaysia on August 23",
    "Seven locations nationwide fall into unhealthy air quality range",
    "Prevailing southeast winds carry smoke from Kalimantan and Sumatra"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Residents in Sarawak, Selangor, Perak, and Kedah face health advisories as air pollution reaches unhealthy levels, prompting recommendations to limit outdoor exposure and wear protective masks.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Breathe easy? Not today as Sarawak chokes and Selangor, Perak and Kedah cough",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/breathe-easy-not-today-as-sarawak-chokes-and-selangor-perak-and-kedah-2692359",
        "published": "2026-08-23T01:34:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}