20 areas record unhealthy air quality, Serian and Kuching highest at 168
TWENTY areas nationwide recorded unhealthy air quality this morning, with Serian and Kuching in Sarawak registering the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 168 as of 8.30am. According to APIMS data, Seri Manjung in Perak recorded the second-...
The Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) reported that twenty areas across the nation experienced unhealthy air quality on September 19, 2026. Serian and Kuching in Sarawak topped the list with a reading of 168 for the Air Pollutant Index (API), as of 8:30am. Seri Manjung in Perak closely followed with a reading of 164, while Samarahan in Sarawak and Sri Aman recorded 163 and 161 respectively.
Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur and Shah Alam in Selangor also recorded an API reading of 156. Putrajaya, Cheras, Sarikei, Petaling Jaya, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, and Bintulu also recorded unhealthy air quality readings. Kapit in Sarawak reported the lowest API reading of 126, followed by Larkin in Johor at 123, Tawau in Sabah at 122, and Tanjung Malim in Perak at 118.
API readings between 101 and 200 indicate unhealthy air quality. Public health authorities advised vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues, to reduce outdoor physical activity while air quality remained unhealthy.
Written by urgent.news from The Vibes's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
