{
  "id": 8344686,
  "title": "20 areas record unhealthy air quality, Serian and Kuching highest at 168",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/20-areas-record-unhealthy-air-quality-serian-and-kuching-highest-at",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-19T01:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Vibes",
    "slug": "the-vibes",
    "url": "https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/127446/20-areas-record-unhealthy-air-quality-serian-and-kuching-highest-at-168"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) reported that twenty areas across the nation experienced unhealthy air quality on September 19, 2026. Serian and Kuching in Sarawak topped the list with a reading of 168 for the Air Pollutant Index (API), as of 8:30am. Seri Manjung in Perak closely followed with a reading of 164, while Samarahan in Sarawak and Sri Aman recorded 163 and 161 respectively. Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur and Shah Alam in Selangor also recorded an API reading of 156. Putrajaya, Cheras, Sarikei, Petaling Jaya, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, and Bintulu also recorded unhealthy air quality readings. Kapit in Sarawak reported the lowest API reading of 126, followed by Larkin in Johor at 123, Tawau in Sabah at 122, and Tanjung Malim in Perak at 118. API readings between 101 and 200 indicate unhealthy air quality. Public health authorities advised vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues, to reduce outdoor physical activity while air quality remained unhealthy.",
  "summary": "TWENTY areas nationwide recorded unhealthy air quality this morning, with Serian and Kuching in Sarawak registering the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 168 as of 8.30am. According to APIMS data, Seri Manjung in Perak recorded the second-...",
  "key_points": [
    "Twenty areas in Malaysia experienced unhealthy air quality on September 19, 2026.",
    "Serian and Kuching in Sarawak had the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 168."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The widespread unhealthy air quality across Malaysia, particularly affecting vulnerable groups, means people, especially children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues, must limit their outdoor activities.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Haze: Kuching, Serian among eight areas in Sarawak recording unhealthy air quality",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/haze-kuching-serian-among-eight-areas-in-sarawak-recording-unhealthy",
        "published": "2026-09-19T01:14:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Haze stretches from Tawau to Perak as 20 areas record unhealthy air, Kuching and Serian hit 169",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/haze-stretches-from-tawau-to-perak-as-20-areas-record-unhealthy-air",
        "published": "2026-09-19T02:19:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Haze situation improves, only 20 areas at unhealthy API levels as of 9am",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/haze-situation-improves-only-20-areas-at-unhealthy-api-levels-as-of",
        "published": "2026-09-19T03:22:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}