Haze flips west: 41 areas in Peninsular Malaysia hit unhealthy levels as Sabah, Sarawak clear

On September 16, 41 areas across Peninsular Malaysia experienced air quality readings at unhealthy levels, as reported by the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal. Six areas in Selangor - Johan Setia, Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya, Klang, Banting, and Kuala Selangor - reported unhealthy API readings. In Kuala Lumpur, Cheras and Batu Muda also experienced unhealthy levels, while Nilai, Seremban, Port Dickson, and Putrajaya in Negeri Sembilan faced the same issue.

In Penang, four areas - Minden, Balik Pulau, Seberang Jaya, and Seberang Perai - recorded unhealthy API readings. Perak had five areas at unhealthy levels, including Seri Manjung, Tanjung Malim, Tasek Ipoh, Taiping, and Pegoh Ipoh. Three areas in Melaka - Bukit Rambai, Alor Gajah, and Melaka City - were affected, as were three areas in Terengganu - Kuala Terengganu, Kemaman, and Paka.

In Pahang, Temerloh, Jerantut, Indera Mahkota, Kuantan, Balok Baru, Kuantan, and Rompin recorded unhealthy API readings. Johor had Tangkak, Pasir Gudang, Batu Pahat, Kluang, and Segamat with unhealthy readings, while Kedah reported Sungai Petani, Kulim Hi-Tech, and Alor Setar as affected areas. Tanah Merah in Kelantan had an API reading of 152.

Nationwide, 22 areas recorded API readings at moderate levels, with Kuching, Sibu, IPD Serian, Samarahan, Bintulu, Sri Aman, and Miri in Sarawak, as well as Tawau, Politeknik Kota Kinabalu, and Keningau in Sabah. Air quality is categorized as good (0-50), moderate (51-100), unhealthy (101-200), very unhealthy (201-300), and hazardous (301 and above).