{
  "id": 8351095,
  "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",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-19T01:14:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/09/1535898/haze-kuching-serian-among-eight-areas-sarawak-recording-unhealthy-air"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sarawak is currently experiencing unhealthy air quality, with eight monitoring stations recording excessively high Air Pollutant Index (API) readings, according to data from the Department of Environment's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS). Kuching and Serian topped the list, registering API readings of 168, the highest in the country. Other areas in Sarawak with unhealthy API readings included Samarahan (163), Sri Aman (161), Sibu (160), Sarikei (152), Bintulu (151), and Kapit (126). In neighboring Perak, Seri Manjung recorded an API of 164, while Tanjung Malim had a reading of 118. Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur reported an API of 156, and Cheras recorded 155. In Selangor, Shah Alam and Petaling Jaya both had API readings of 156 and 151, respectively. Nilai in Negri Sembilan recorded an API of 151. In Johor, Larkin had an API of 123, and Tangkak recorded 105. Tawau in Sabah reported an API of 122, and Bukit Rambai in Melaka had a reading of 107. Overall, 37 stations recorded moderate API readings, while 10 recorded good air quality. API classifications range from zero to 50 indicating good air quality, 51 to 100 indicating moderate, 101 to 200 indicating unhealthy, 201 to 300 indicating very unhealthy, and above 300 being categorized as hazardous.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak continued to bear the brunt of the haze this morning, with eight air quality monitoring stations in the state recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as at 8am today.",
  "key_points": [
    "Kuching and Serian recorded highest API readings of 168 in Sarawak",
    "Samarahan, Sri Aman, Sibu also had unhealthy API readings above 150",
    "37 stations recorded moderate air quality, 10 had good air quality"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "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",
        "published": "2026-09-19T01:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "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."
}