{
  "id": 3390737,
  "title": "Haze persists across Malaysia as 17 stations record unhealthy air quality",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/haze-persists-across-malaysia-as-17-stations-record-unhealthy-air",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-26T00:50:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/08/26/haze-persists-across-malaysia-as-17-stations-record-unhealthy-air-quality/232628"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 26 — Malaysia's air quality crisis continues unabated as 17 monitoring stations nationwide recorded unhealthy pollution levels this morning, according to the Department of Environment's (DoE) MyEQMS portal. Sarawak and the Klang Valley remain the most severely affected areas, with Sarawak emerging as the epicenter of the haze crisis. The highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading nationwide was 167, recorded by Sri Aman, followed closely by IPD Serian at 166 and Samarahan at 162. Six stations in the Klang Valley, including Shah Alam, Nilai, Cheras, and Putrajaya, breached the unhealthy threshold, indicating a dense smog enveloping the greater Klang Valley conurbation. While Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur, Klang, Banting, and Petaling Jaya recorded lower API levels, the persistent smog affects a wider area, extending beyond traditional hotspots. Environmental assessments point to prolonged dry spells caused by the El Niño phenomenon, suppress rainfall, and rampant open burning as the primary contributors to the widespread haze. Sarawak's environmental authorities attribute the worsening air quality to transboundary smoke and local peat and forest fires. Health authorities advise the public to limit outdoor activities, especially for high-risk groups, and to wear protective masks when venturing outside.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 26 — Malaysia's air quality crisis showed no signs of abating this morning, with the Departm...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Malaysia, Indonesia to ramp up anti-haze measures ahead of National Day",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/malaysia-indonesia-to-ramp-up-anti-haze-measures-ahead-of-national-day",
        "published": "2026-08-24T08:29:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Indonesia to open airspace for cloud seeding to tackle haze, Malaysia says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/indonesia-to-open-airspace-for-cloud-seeding-to-tackle-haze-malaysia",
        "published": "2026-08-24T08:49:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Malaysia says Indonesia to open airspace for cloud seeding to tackle haze",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/malaysia-says-indonesia-to-open-airspace-for-cloud-seeding-to-tackle",
        "published": "2026-08-24T09:42:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Indonesia allows Malaysian aircraft to conduct cloud seeding along border",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/indonesia-allows-malaysian-aircraft-to-conduct-cloud-seeding-along",
        "published": "2026-08-24T09:55:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Jakarta Post",
        "title": "Indonesia to open airspace for cloud seeding to tackle haze, Malaysia says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/indonesia-to-open-airspace-for-cloud-seeding-to-tackle-haze-malaysia",
        "published": "2026-08-25T01:12:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Guardian",
        "title": "‘Like smoking a cigarette’: Indonesia chokes on haze as blazes intensify amid super ‘El Niño’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/like-smoking-a-cigarette-indonesia-chokes-on-haze-as-blazes-intensify",
        "published": "2026-08-25T04:17:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Haze persists across Malaysia as 17 stations record unhealthy air quality",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/haze-persists-across-malaysia-as-17-stations-record-unhealthy-air-3391793",
        "published": "2026-08-26T00:50:46.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}