{
  "id": 5530967,
  "title": "Malaysia declares state of emergency in Sarawak’s Serian after air pollutant index exceeds 500",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/malaysia-declares-state-of-emergency-in-sarawaks-serian-after-air",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-04T09:38:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Channel News Asia",
    "slug": "channel-news-asia",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-serian-sarawak-state-emergency-haze-forest-fires-borneo-6362021"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Malaysia's King, Sultan Ibrahim, has declared a state of emergency in Serian, Sarawak, due to severe haze from forest fires. The air pollutant index in Serian reached 515 as of 5pm on Friday, according to Channel News Asia, which is classified as \"very hazardous\".\n\nThe declaration was made after considering advice from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, and relevant agencies, as reported by Malay Mail and Free Malaysia Today. The emergency will allow for more effective measures to protect the health and welfare of residents affected by the hazardous air pollution.\n\nThe haze in Serian is attributed to transboundary forest fires in neighbouring Indonesia, according to Free Malaysia Today and The Jakarta Post. The situation will continue to be monitored, and necessary measures will be implemented to mitigate the effects of the haze.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Sarawak wants emergency declared in Serian",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/sarawak-wants-emergency-declared-in-serian",
        "published": "2026-09-04T08:07:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "King declares emergency in Serian over hazardous haze",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/king-declares-emergency-in-serian-over-hazardous-haze",
        "published": "2026-09-04T09:06:15.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "Emergency declared in Serian as haze reaches hazardous levels",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/emergency-declared-in-serian-as-haze-reaches-hazardous-levels",
        "published": "2026-09-04T09:25:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Associated Press",
        "title": "Malaysia declares emergency in Sarawak town as haze reaches critical level",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/malaysia-declares-emergency-in-sarawak-town-as-haze-reaches-critical",
        "published": "2026-09-04T09:53:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}