{
  "id": 4418780,
  "title": "Hazardous air quality in 3 areas of Sarawak as haze worsens",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/hazardous-air-quality-in-3-areas-of-sarawak-as-haze-worsens-4418780",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-30T11:42:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/08/30/hazardous-air-quality-in-3-areas-of-sarawak-as-haze-worsens"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Air quality in parts of Sarawak has deteriorated to hazardous levels due to persistent smoke pollution, according to the latest update from the Asean haze monitoring centre. Three districts recorded the most severe readings: Serian (436), Samarahan (336) and Kuching (323). The \"very unhealthy\" air quality was reported in Sri Aman (266) and Sarikei (214). Seven other areas fell under the \"unhealthy\" category, including Sibu (196), Mukah (187), Bintulu (182), Samalaju (175), Miri (162), Kapit (162), and Miri (159). Labuan, Kota Kinabalu and Taiping reported lower but still concerning levels. The situation is exacerbated by hotspots in Kalimantan and Sumatra, which are contributing moderate to dense transboundary smoke plumes to the region.",
  "summary": "Serian had the highest air pollution index of 436, followed by Samarahan and Kuching, while Sri Aman and Sarikei had ‘very unhealthy’ air.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Haze: Public urged to reduce outdoor activities in Sarawak",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/haze-public-urged-to-reduce-outdoor-activities-in-sarawak",
        "published": "2026-08-30T06:53:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Worsening haze in Sarawak prompts families to limit outdoor activities",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/worsening-haze-in-sarawak-prompts-families-to-limit-outdoor-activities",
        "published": "2026-08-30T07:55:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Sarawak Rivers Board warns Rajang journeys perilous as haze blinds boatmen, drought shrinks channels",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/sarawak-rivers-board-warns-rajang-journeys-perilous-as-haze-blinds",
        "published": "2026-08-30T09:01:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}