{
  "id": 2759156,
  "title": "Haze watch: Sungai Petani, Johan Setia worsen as five more areas in Malaysia edge towards unhealthy levels",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/haze-watch-sungai-petani-johan-setia-worsen-as-five-more-areas-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-23T09:27:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/08/23/haze-watch-sungai-petani-johan-setia-worsens-as-five-more-areas-in-malaysia-edge-towards-unhealthy-levels/232429"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "This afternoon, the haze situation in peninsular Malaysia shifted, with Sungai Petani worsening and five other areas nearing unhealthy levels, while Sarawak remained the worst-affected region. Sungai Petani in Kedah recorded an API reading of 153 at 5pm, up from 140 at 9am. Johan Setia in Selangor also worsened, climbing from 157 to 160. Taiping in Perak showed improvement, dropping from 121 at 9am to 112 at 5pm. Klang, Banting, Putrajaya, Bukit Rambai in Melaka, and Nilai in Negeri Sembilan hovered close to the unhealthy threshold, all within 10 points. Sarawak still had the highest API readings, with Serian at 186, Kuching at 176, Samarahan at 173, and Sri Aman at 173. API readings categorize air quality from good (0-50) to hazardous (above 300). The Department of Environment monitors air quality through 68 stations nationwide, with hourly updates. The Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre continues monitoring hotspot activity and smoke plumes, with prevailing southeast winds.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 23 — The haze picture shifted across peninsular Malaysia this afternoon, with Sungai Petani wors...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "The Mecca Agreement: A new quest for Muslim strategic unity that Malaysia must watch carefully — Phar Kim Beng",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/the-mecca-agreement-a-new-quest-for-muslim-strategic-unity-that",
        "published": "2026-08-23T01:00:36.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}