Sarawak and Klang Valley worst hit as 30 spots in Malaysia breach ‘Unhealthy’ API levels

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 25 — Malaysia's ongoing haze issue remains severe, with 30 air quality monitoring stations nationwide reporting "unhealthy" Air Pollutant Index (API) levels, according to figures from the Department of Environment's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS). An API reading between 101 and 200 is deemed unhealthy, posing health risks to the general public, especially vulnerable groups like young children, the elderly, and those with chronic respiratory conditions.

Sarawak is currently the worst-affected region, with the IPD Serian station registering the highest reading at 180, nearing the "very unhealthy" mark of 201. Nearby stations in Sri Aman and Samarahan recorded 169 and 152 API levels, respectively. In Peninsular Malaysia, the Klang Valley is enveloped in smog, with several stations in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya crossing into the unhealthy range.

Shah Alam recorded the highest reading in the peninsula at 162, while Putrajaya and Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur, as well as Kuala Selangor, all had API levels of 156, 155, and 152, respectively. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability attributes this month's widespread haze to prolonged dry spells due to El Niño, below-average rainfall, and significant domestic and cross-border open burning.

Public health officials advise high-risk individuals to limit outdoor activities, wear protective masks, stay hydrated, and avoid open burning.