{
  "id": 4596332,
  "title": "Four areas in Sarawak record 'hazardous' air quality; East Malaysian state prepares for possible haze emergency",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/four-areas-in-sarawak-record-hazardous-air-quality-east-malaysian",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-31T07:41:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Channel News Asia",
    "slug": "channel-news-asia",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-haze-sarawak-hazardous-national-day-6351696"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Four areas in Sarawak recorded \"hazardous\" air quality on Monday, Aug 31, as Malaysia continues to struggle with haze caused by forest fires in neighboring Indonesia. The worst reading of 475 was reported in Sarawak's Serian district, followed by 334 in Samarahan, 330 in Sri Aman and 324 in Kuching. Other areas in the state, including Sarikei, Sibu and Mukah, experienced \"very unhealthy\" air quality with API readings of 271, 219 and 214 respectively. Across the country, 14 locations observed \"unhealthy\" air quality, according to the Department of Environment. Readings above 300 are classified as hazardous. Moderate air quality in Putrajaya enabled Malaysia's National Day celebration to proceed as scheduled. Sarawak's deputy premier Douglas Uggah Embas said the state was prepared to declare an emergency if the air quality reached a critical level.",
  "summary": "Sarawak’s Serian district recorded the worst Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 475 at 9am on Monday (Aug 31). But moderate air quality in Putrajaya enabled Malaysia’s National Day celebration in the administrative capital to proceed as scheduled.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Sarawak says no emergency unless API breaches 500, Serian readings remain hazardous",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/sarawak-says-no-emergency-unless-api-breaches-500-serian-readings",
        "published": "2026-08-31T05:01:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "Haze: Emergency only in areas with API of 500, not the whole of Sarawak",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/haze-emergency-only-in-areas-with-api-of-500-not-the-whole-of-sarawak",
        "published": "2026-08-31T08:18:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}