Batu Pahat records highest API at 196 as schools shut

Batu Pahat in Johor has topped a list of 35 regions nationwide with unhealthy air quality indices (IPU), according to the Batu Pahat Disaster Management Office. The IPU reading in Batu Pahat peaked at 191 at 8 a.m. today, surpassing the safe limit of 200. This is followed by 34 other regions across the country, including Johan Setia in Selangor (189), Cheras in Kuala Lumpur and Nilai in Negeri Sembilan (both 188), Putrajaya (186), and Shah Alam in Selangor (180).

Other regions with unhealthy IPU readings include Batu Muda and Segamat (177), Bukit Rambai (176), Petaling Jaya and Banting (175), Melaka (174), Alor Gajah and Pasir Gudang (173), and Tangkak (170). Other areas with unhealthy IPU readings are Klang and Port Dickson (169), Temeloh (168), Larkin (166), Pengerang (165), Kota Tinggi (164), Indera Mahkota Kuantan (162), Kluang (161), Jerantut (159), Rompin (158), Balok Baru Kuantan (157), Kemaman and Paka (156), Tanjung Malim (154), Tasek Ipoh (139), Kuala Terengganu (111), and Pegoh Ipoh (107).

In East Malaysia, only Sarawak's Serian and Sabah's Tawau recorded unhealthy IPU levels of 152 and 156, respectively. Of the 31 regions with moderate IPU readings, Kangar in Perlis and Langkawi in Kedah had good air quality, with readings of 41 and 31, respectively. Air quality is categorized as good (0-50), moderate (51-100), unhealthy (101-200), very unhealthy (201-300), and hazardous (above 300).

Today, the Batu Pahat Disaster Management Office announced the closure of all schools, kindergartens (tadika), and children's homes (taska) in the area due to an unhealthy IPU reading of over 200. The closure aligns with the National Action Plan and guidelines from the Ministry of Education (MOE) to ensure the safety and health of students and school staff, who may be instructed to conduct lessons and learning at home if directed by the MOE, the Johor Education Department, or the Batu Pahat District Education Office.