Haze affects several areas as 23 stations record unhealthy API

KUALA LUMPUR - Haze impacted several regions across Malaysia today, with 23 air-quality monitoring stations recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) levels at 6pm, according to the Environment Department's APIMS data. Out of 45 stations, none were classified as good air quality. The highest API reading of 182 was recorded at Serian district police headquarters in Sarawak, placing it in the unhealthy category.

Other areas with unhealthy readings included Johan Setia (163), Sri Aman (161), Pasir Gudang (160), Larkin (158), Nilai (157), Pengerang (157), and Samarahan (157) in Sarawak. In the Peninsular, Cheras (156), Seremban (155), Kuching (154), and Putrajaya (153) also reported unhealthy API levels. Moderate readings were logged by Rompin (99) in Pahang, Tasek Ipoh (98) in Perak, Petaling Jaya (98), Klang (98), Balik Pulau (96) in Penang, Kemaman (96) in Terengganu, Minden (95) in Penang, Tanjung Malim (95) in Perak, Port Dickson (94) in Negri Sembilan, Batu Muda (93) in Kuala Lumpur, and Temerloh (92) in Pahang.

Smoke from fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, was carried by southwesterly winds towards Sarawak, contributing to the haze in parts of the state. The API classification ranges from 0-50 (good air quality), 51-100 (moderate), 101-200 (unhealthy), 201-300 (very unhealthy), and above 300 (hazardous). For the latest hourly API readings, the public can consult the Department of Environment's website or the MyJAS EQMS mobile application.