{
  "id": 5684928,
  "title": "Fadhlina calls on parents and schools to follow official haze updates as Sarawak shuts 647 schools",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/fadhlina-calls-on-parents-and-schools-to-follow-official-haze-updates",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-05T01:29:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/09/05/fadhlina-calls-on-parents-and-schools-to-follow-official-haze-updates-as-sarawak-shuts-647-schools/233981"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek has urged parents and school communities in Sarawak to follow the official updates from the Sarawak State Education Department (JPN) regarding the haze situation in the state, prioritizing the health and safety of children. The closure of 647 primary and secondary schools in Sarawak for five days began on Monday, September 7, as the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings in several areas have reached unhealthy levels. The affected schools include 563 primary schools with 108,477 pupils and 84 secondary schools with 90,082 students. Teaching and Learning at Home (PdPR) has been implemented during this period. Meanwhile, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has approved the proclamation of a state of emergency in Serian, Sarawak, due to the haze condition endangering public health and safety.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 5 — Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek has urged parents and school communities to fo...",
  "key_points": [
    "Fadhlina Sidek urges parents and schools to follow official haze updates in Sarawak.",
    "647 schools in Sarawak closed for five days due to unhealthy Air Pollutant Index levels.",
    "Sultan Ibrahim approves state of emergency in Serian for haze-related health risks."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The education minister's directive underscores the government's prioritization of student health and safety over regular school operations during the haze crisis in Sarawak.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}