{
  "id": 8371897,
  "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",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-19T03:22:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/09/19/haze-situation-improves-only-20-areas-at-unhealthy-api-levels-as-of-9am"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The haze situation in Malaysia has shown improvement, with the number of areas experiencing unhealthy air quality down to 20 as of 9am, down from 32 the previous evening. Kuching and Serian in Sarawak recorded the highest readings at 169, followed by Samarahan (163), Sri Aman (162), Sibu (159), Sarikei (152), Bintulu (135), and Kapit (118). In Perak, Seri Manjung (164) and Tanjung Malim (113) also experienced unhealthy levels. Selangor saw affected areas in Shah Alam (157), Petaling Jaya (139), and Johan Setia (113), while Kuala Lumpur reported unhealthy levels in Batu Muda (155), Cheras (155), and Putrajaya (154). Nilai in Negeri Sembilan, Larkin in Johor, Bukit Rambai in Melaka, and Tawau in Sabah recorded moderate readings, while Tawau also had a good reading of 108. Overall, 37 areas reported moderate air quality, and 10 had good air quality.",
  "summary": "Sarawak remains the worst hit with six areas affected, including Kuching and Serian, which recorded the highest API reading of 169.",
  "key_points": [
    "Haze situation improves, 20 areas at unhealthy API levels",
    "Kuching and Serian in Sarawak recorded highest readings at 169",
    "37 areas reported moderate air quality"
  ],
  "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",
        "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-8373653",
        "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."
}