Haze persists across Malaysia as 17 stations record unhealthy air quality

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 26 - Malaysia's ongoing air quality crisis saw 17 monitoring stations nationwide recorded as Unhealthy early this morning, according to the Department of Environment's real-time tracking portal MyEQMS. Sarawak and the Klang Valley continued to report the most severe pollution levels. Sri Aman topped the nation with an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 167, followed by IPD Serian at 166 and Samarahan at 162.

Sarawak was identified as the epicenter of the haze crisis, with several stations nearing the 'Very Unhealthy' threshold of 201. The Klang Valley experienced dense smog, with Six stations in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya breaching the Unhealthy level. Shah Alam recorded the highest level in Selangor at 158, matching readings in Johan Setia and Seremban.

In the wider peninsula, poor air quality extended beyond hotspots, with Tangkak in Johor at 153, Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur at 152, and Taiping in Perak at 108. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability linked the prolonged haze to prolonged dry spells caused by the El Niño phenomenon, suppressed rainfall, and widespread open burning.

Sarawak authorities attributed the worsening air quality to transboundary smoke and local peat and forest fires. Health authorities advised the public to limit outdoor activities, especially for high-risk groups, and recommended wearing protective masks when outside.