{
  "id": 8358034,
  "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",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-19T02:19:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/09/19/haze-stretches-from-tawau-to-perak-as-20-areas-record-unhealthy-air-kuching-and-serian-hit-169/235739"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) has reported that 20 areas across the country are currently experiencing unhealthy air quality, with Kuching and IPD Serian in Sarawak recording the highest API readings at 169. Other affected areas include Samarahan, Sri Aman, Sibu, Sarikei, Bintulu, and Kapit in Sarawak, as well as Seri Manjung and Tanjung Malim in Perak. In Selangor, Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya, and Johan Setia have also reported unhealthy API levels. Additionally, Batu Muda, Cheras, and Putrajaya in Kuala Lumpur, along with Nilai in Negeri Sembilan, Larkin in Johor, Bukit Rambai in Melaka, and Tawau in Sabah, are among the areas impacted. The API scale ranges from zero to 50 (good), 51 to 100 (moderate), 101 to 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy), and 301 and above (hazardous).",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "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": "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-8359179",
        "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."
}