{
  "id": 6215749,
  "title": "Serian air quality ‘hazardous’ again just a day after emergency ends",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/serian-air-quality-hazardous-again-just-a-day-after-emergency-ends",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-08T02:04:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/09/08/serian-air-quality-hazardous-again-just-a-day-after-emergency-ends/234368"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Serian, a town in Sarawak, Malaysia, has witnessed a sharp deterioration in air quality, with the Air Pollutant Index (API) rising to a hazardous level of 302 as of 10am on September 8, 2021. This sudden increase occurred just a day after His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, lifted the state of emergency declared for the region. The APIM system, which tracks air quality nationwide, reports Serian as the sole hazardous area in the country, with readings above 300. This marks the threshold at which the government typically imposes movement restrictions and school closures. Currently, Sarawak dominates the \"very unhealthy\" category (API 201–300), with three stations registering critical levels: Kuching at 249, Sri Aman at 235, and Samarahan at 233. Samarahan's air quality has worsened since its Monday reading of 226, prompting authorities to advise residents to limit outdoor activities. The haze has also spread across Peninsular Malaysia, with \"unhealthy\" API readings (101–200) recorded in various states: Mukah, Sarikei, Samalaju, Bintulu, ILP Miri, Sibu, and Miri in Sarawak; Johan Setia, Shah Alam, Banting, Klang, Petaling Jaya, and Kuala Selangor in Selangor; Tasek Ipoh, Seri Manjung, Tanjung Malim, and Pegoh Ipoh in Perak; Nilai and Seremban in Negeri Sembilan; and Cheras and Putrajaya in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, respectively. The haze has extended to Melaka, with Alor Gajah and Bukit Rambai also recording unhealthy API readings.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 — Air quality in Serian, Sarawak, has deteriorated sharply, with the Air Pollutant Index (API...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Serian back in hazardous zone, hours after haze emergency lifted",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/serian-back-in-hazardous-zone-hours-after-haze-emergency-lifted",
        "published": "2026-09-08T01:44:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Serian air quality ‘hazardous’ again just a day after emergency ends",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/serian-air-quality-hazardous-again-just-a-day-after-emergency-ends-6216743",
        "published": "2026-09-08T02:04:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}