KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 31 -- Air pollution in Serian reached a hazardous Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 476 this morning, as four areas in Sarawak recorded readings above the 300 mark.

Data from the Department of Environment's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) showed Serian recording the highest reading at 8.20am, followed by Samarahan at 330, Sri Aman at 326 and Kuching at 317.

All four readings fall within the hazardous category.

Under Malaysia's API classification, readings above 300 are considered hazardous, while those between 201 and 300 are classified as very unhealthy.

Several other parts of Sarawak were also experiencing very unhealthy air quality, with Sarikei recording an API of 267, Sibu 219 and Mukah 214.

A...