{
  "id": 5481132,
  "title": "Serian API hits 518 as haze persists in Sarawak",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/serian-api-hits-518-as-haze-persists-in-sarawak",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-04T03:14:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/09/1525469/serian-api-hits-518-haze-persists-sarawak"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR: The Serian API in Sarawak hit a record high of 518 as haze continues to affect parts of the state, according to the Department of Environment's Air Pollutant Index Management System. Kuching was the only other area in Sarawak with a hazardous reading of 310. Samarahan and Sri Aman recorded very unhealthy readings of 281 and 245, respectively. Six other areas in Sarawak, including Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu, Samalaju, and ILP Miri, reported unhealthy readings. Four areas nationwide, namely Sandakan, Sabah; Pasir Gudang, Johor; Segamat, Johor; and Politeknik Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, also recorded unhealthy readings. Meanwhile, 42 areas across the country had moderate air quality, and 12 stations reported good readings. The API scale ranges from zero to 50, indicating good air quality, 51 to 100 as moderate, 101 to 200 as unhealthy, 201 to 300 as very unhealthy, and above 300 as hazardous.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Serian recorded the country’s highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at 518 as haze continued to blanket parts of Sarawak as of 10am.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Serian haze worsens, API hits 495",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/serian-haze-worsens-api-hits-495",
        "published": "2026-09-04T00:07:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "Serian air pollution hits hazardous level with API reading of 495",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/serian-air-pollution-hits-hazardous-level-with-api-reading-of-495",
        "published": "2026-09-04T00:19:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Sarawak haze pushes Serian API reading to 495, just short of ‘emergency’ level",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/sarawak-haze-pushes-serian-api-reading-to-495-just-short-of-emergency",
        "published": "2026-09-04T01:01:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Air quality in Serian exceeds emergency level at 517",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/air-quality-in-serian-exceeds-emergency-level-at-517",
        "published": "2026-09-04T03:08:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}