22 areas record unhealthy air quality, Bukit Rambai highest at 174 API

As of 8am today, air quality in 22 areas across Malaysia was deemed unhealthy, according to the Department of Environment's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS). The affected regions spanned Johor, Negri Sembilan, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Putrajaya, Selangor, and Terengganu. In Johor, areas like Batu Pahat, Larkin, Tangkak, Pasir Gudang, Kluang, Segamat, and Kota Tinggi all reported unhealthy air quality.

Similarly, Negri Sembilan saw Nilai, Seremban, and Port Dickson with readings above the unhealthy threshold. Kuala Lumpur, too, experienced unhealthy air quality in Batu Muda and Cheras, each with an API reading of 159, while Putrajaya recorded an API of 158. Melaka's Bukit Rambai area registered the highest API reading of the day at 174, followed by Bandaraya Melaka with a reading of 162 and Alor Gajah with 158.

In Selangor, Johan Setia, Klang, and Banting reported API readings of 160, 159, and 159 respectively, with Shah Alam and Petaling Jaya at 158 and 157. Terengganu's Paka recorded an API of 153. The APIMS also noted that 39 other monitoring stations across the country recorded moderate air quality, while seven areas boasted good air quality.

API readings are categorized as good (0-50), moderate (51-100), unhealthy (101-200), very unhealthy (201-300), and hazardous (above 300).