Haze: 39 areas hit unhealthy API levels as of 4pm

On September 15, 39 areas across Malaysia recorded elevated Air Pollutant Index (API) levels, marking them as unhealthy according to the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal. The highest reading of 188 was recorded in Johan Setia, Selangor, closely followed by Shah Alam with a reading of 173, and Klang at 167. In Sarawak, two areas, Serian and Samarahan, reported API levels of 171 and 151 respectively.

Johor reported seven areas with unhealthy API readings, including Tangkak at 172 and Pasir Gudang at 167. Pahang had five areas with unhealthy readings, featuring Indera Mahkota Kuantan at 167, Temerloh at 163, and Jerantut at 163. In Negeri Sembilan, three areas - Nilai (176), Seremban (172), and Port Dickson (159) - recorded unhealthy API levels.

Terengganu had three affected areas with readings of 161, 158, and 157, while Perak had four areas with API levels of 166, 160, 157, and 104. Melaka recorded two areas with unhealthy API levels, both at 164, whereas Penang had three areas with readings of 154, 152, and 139. Other affected areas included Cheras, Kuala Lumpur (177), Batu Muda (169), Putrajaya (174), and Sungai Petani, Kedah (153).

Conversely, 29 areas nationwide reported moderate API levels. The API scale ranges from 0 to 50 indicating good air quality, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and above 301 hazardous.