Perak worst hit as 28 areas nationwide turn unhealthy

On September 17, the Air Pollutant Index (API) monitored 28 areas across Malaysia as recording unhealthy air quality levels at 9:45am. Perak experienced the highest number of areas with 5, with Tasek Ipoh, Seri Manjung, Pegoh Ipoh, Taiping, and Tanjung Malim reaching unhealthy readings of 182, 180, 160, 157, and 154 respectively.

Penang, Selangor, and Kuala Lumpur each had 4 areas in the unhealthy range, with Seberang Jaya, Minden, Seberang Perai, Balik Pulau, Cheras, and Batu Muda marking those areas. Kuala Lumpur's Putrajaya also recorded a reading of 157. Other states reporting unhealthy readings included Negeri Sembilan with Nilai (157) and Seremban (151), Melaka with Bukit Rambai (148), Bandaraya Melaka (133), and Alor Gajah (111), Johor with Batu Pahat (152) and Kluang (144), and Kedah with Sungai Petani (160) and Kulim Hi-Tech (132).

Meanwhile, three states each had one area in the unhealthy category - Terengganu's Kuala Terengganu (153), Pahang's Jerantut (152), and Sarawak's Kuching (109). The remaining states each had one area with a moderate air quality reading, while eight areas across the country reported good air quality. API readings range from 0-50 (good), 51-100 (moderate), 101-200 (unhealthy), 201-300 (very unhealthy), and 301 and above (hazardous).