{
  "id": 3924605,
  "title": "Sri Aman records Sarawak’s worst air quality at 4pm as API hits 215",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/sri-aman-records-sarawaks-worst-air-quality-at-4pm-as-api-hits-215-3924605",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-28T08:27:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/08/28/sri-aman-records-sarawaks-worst-air-quality-at-4pm-as-api-hits-215/233043"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On August 28, the Air Pollutant Index (API) in Sarawak reached its highest level ever, recorded at a concerning 215 in the town of Sri Aman. This reading placed the district firmly in the \"very unhealthy\" category. The Air Pollutant Index of Malaysia (APIMS) reported this as the most extreme level among all monitoring stations across the state, with Sri Aman being the sole area in Sarawak to exceed an API of 200. The readings from IPD Serian, Sarikei, and Kuching were 182, 163, and 160 respectively, all of which fell into the \"unhealthy\" category. In comparison, Sibu logged an API of 151, Bintulu recorded 136, Miri and Samalaju each had readings of 99, while ILP Miri, Mukah, Limbang, and Kapit recorded lower readings of 87, 72, and 71 respectively. Notably, no API reading was available for Samarahan. The Department of Environment (DOE) reported a nationwide deterioration in air quality, citing several areas on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak experiencing unhealthy API readings due to haze from various directions. According to the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), a significant number of hotspots were detected in Kalimantan (514) and Sumatra (176) on August 27, with three hotspots recorded in Malaysia, including one in Sarawak. The regional haze map indicated moderate to thick haze over western Borneo, with many monitoring stations in western Sarawak reporting unhealthy to hazardous readings. The DOE has ramped up enforcement activities and daily patrols in areas susceptible to open burning, and both the National Open Burning Action Plan and the National Haze Action Plan have been activated to coordinate a government response. The department urged the public to monitor hourly API readings and to avoid open burning. As per the National Haze Action Plan, schools, kindergartens, and nurseries are to be immediately closed if the API surpasses 200.",
  "summary": "KUCHING, Aug 28 — Sri Aman recorded Sarawak’s worst air quality today, with its Air Pollutant Index (API) re...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Borneo Post Online",
        "title": "Sri Aman records Sarawak’s worst air quality at 4pm as API hits 215",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/sri-aman-records-sarawaks-worst-air-quality-at-4pm-as-api-hits-215-3923344",
        "published": "2026-08-28T08:22:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Sri Aman records Sarawak’s worst air quality at 4pm as API hits 215",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/sri-aman-records-sarawaks-worst-air-quality-at-4pm-as-api-hits-215",
        "published": "2026-08-28T08:27:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "‘Very unhealthy’ air quality in Sri Aman as haze worsens",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/very-unhealthy-air-quality-in-sri-aman-as-haze-worsens",
        "published": "2026-08-28T10:03:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Very unhealthy air quality in Sri Aman, unhealthy API readings in 21 areas",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/very-unhealthy-air-quality-in-sri-aman-unhealthy-api-readings-in-21",
        "published": "2026-08-28T10:44:39.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}