Haze watch: Sungai Petani, Johan Setia worsen as five more areas in Malaysia edge towards unhealthy levels

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 23 — The haze situation in peninsular Malaysia shifted today, with the town of Sungai Petani worsening and five additional areas nearing unhealthy levels, while Sarawak remained the region with the highest readings. The Air Pollutant Index (API) in Sungai Petani rose from 140 to 153 by 5pm, surpassing its morning level.

Similarly, Johan Setia in Selangor experienced a slight increase from 157 to 160, maintaining the highest reading on the peninsula. Taiping in Perak, conversely, improved from 121 to 112. Five locations now hover near the unhealthy threshold, with Klang at 95, Banting and Putrajaya both at 93, Bukit Rambai in Melaka at 92, and Nilai in Negeri Sembilan at 91.

Despite remaining in the moderate category, these areas are within 10 points of the unhealthy level. Sarawak continues to have the highest API readings in the country, but all four affected locations showed slight improvements compared to this morning. Serian, in particular, saw the most significant drop, going from 194 to 186. The Department of Environment continues to monitor air quality through 68 stations nationwide, with readings updated hourly.

The Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre is also tracking hotspot activity and smoke plumes across the region, with prevailing winds originating from the southeast.