No haze respite: Seven spots exceed API of 180, no location in Malaysia with ‘Good’ air quality

Kuala Lumpur, October 9 — Residents across Malaysia continue to breathe unhealthy air today, with seven monitoring stations recording API levels above 180. Seremban topped the list with a reading of 186, followed by Melaka's capital Bandaraya Melaka at 184, and a trio of locations in Negeri Sembilan, Nilai, Bukit Rambai, and Segamat, all tied at 183.

The Department of Environment (DOE) reported that out of 68 monitoring stations nationwide, 38 recorded unhealthy air quality (API 101 to 200). None of the stations registered 'Good' air quality, while 30 were deemed moderate, and no readings surpassed the very unhealthy benchmark of 201. School closures in Selangor, Melaka, and Negeri Sembilan began this morning, as the Ministry of Education directed all educational institutions in affected areas to shift to home-based learning due to the hazardous particulate exposure.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim acknowledged the alarming situation, stating that the government has intensified cloud seeding operations to combat the haze.