{
  "id": 8634974,
  "title": "Haze: Sarawak areas dominate unhealthy API readings, IPD Serian highest at 182",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/haze-sarawak-areas-dominate-unhealthy-api-readings-ipd-serian-highest-8634974",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-20T03:52:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/09/20/haze-sarawak-areas-dominate-unhealthy-api-readings-ipd-serian-highest-at-182/235843"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As of 9am today, 22 areas across the nation reported unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings, with the highest reading of 182 recorded at IPD Serian in Sarawak. Seven other areas within Sarawak, including Samarahan, Kuching, Sri Aman, Bintulu, Sibu, Sarikei, and Samalaju, also reached unhealthy API levels. In Johor, five areas, namely Larkin, Batu Pahat, Pasir Gudang, Segamat, and Tangkak, recorded unhealthy API readings. Putrajaya and Nilai in Negeri Sembilan each had readings of 154, while Shah Alam in Selangor reported a reading of 152. Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, and Seremban, Negeri Sembilan followed with readings of 133 and 127 respectively. Moderate readings were observed at 40 locations, while only five areas recorded good air quality. The Department of Environment (DOE) deputy director-general, Azuri Azizah Saedon, explained that the current situation was caused by persistent dry weather conditions in parts of the southern Asean region. ASMC reported 865 hotspots in Kalimantan, 16 in Sumatra, and six in Malaysia, all located in Sarawak. Moderate to dense smoke plumes from these hotspots were detected, with transboundary smoke plumes moving towards western Sarawak and southern Sabah. The DOE emphasized the continuous monitoring of fire risks, particularly in peatland areas and landfill sites, and would intensify monitoring if air pollution increases. Appropriate actions would be taken in accordance with legal provisions to minimize environmental and public health impacts. Enforcement actions include inspections and patrols in high-risk areas, and the National Haze Action Plan (PTJK) outlines measures for suspending outdoor activities and implementing cloud seeding operations based on API readings. The DOE urged the public to avoid open burning and to report fires or open burning incidents to the relevant authorities.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 — Twenty-two areas nationwide recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 9a...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "‘I can only wait and hope’: Haze hits livelihoods in Sumatra as workers toil in unhealthy air",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/i-can-only-wait-and-hope-haze-hits-livelihoods-in-sumatra-as-workers",
        "published": "2026-09-19T22:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Haze watch: 21 areas nationwide wake up to unhealthy air",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/haze-watch-21-areas-nationwide-wake-up-to-unhealthy-air",
        "published": "2026-09-20T01:13:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}