{
  "id": 3685009,
  "title": "Penang keeps close eye on haze situation before final decision on Merdeka parade",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/penang-keeps-close-eye-on-haze-situation-before-final-decision-on",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-27T06:41:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/08/27/penang-keeps-close-eye-on-haze-situation-before-final-decision-on-merdeka-parade/232880"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The Penang state government is diligently monitoring the daily air quality levels before making a final decision on the upcoming Merdeka parade at the Esplanade. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow stated that due to the outdoor nature of the National Day celebrations on Aug 31, any significant deterioration in haze conditions could jeopardize the event. While relocating the parade to an indoor venue is not feasible, the state will rely on the air pollutant index (API) to determine the viability of the parade. If API readings reach 200 API or above, the government is likely to cancel the proceedings. Currently, API readings in Penang have fluctuated between moderate and unhealthy levels (50 to 160) over the past few days, with the state health department on high alert for any spike in respiratory-related illnesses.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Penang keeps close eye on haze situation before final decision on Merdeka parade",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/penang-keeps-close-eye-on-haze-situation-before-final-decision-on-3690869",
        "published": "2026-08-27T06:41:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}