{
  "id": 15310589,
  "title": "Johor hotspots lead Malaysia’s haze tally as 25 localities record unhealthy air",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/johor-hotspots-lead-malaysias-haze-tally-as-25-localities-record",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T00:04:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Vibes",
    "slug": "the-vibes",
    "url": "https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/128469/johor-hotspots-lead-malaysias-haze-tally-as-25-localities-record-unhealthy-air"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On October 18, 2026, Malaysia's Department of Environment reported that 25 locations across the country were experiencing unhealthy air quality, according to the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS). Johor remained a significant hotspot, with seven localities recording unhealthy air quality, including Pasir Gudang with a reading of 189, Larkin with 181, Kota Tinggi with 180, Pengerang with 178, Batu Pahat with 169, Kluang with 163, and Tangkak with 160. Selangor also had five localities with unhealthy air quality, led by Johan Setia at 163, followed by Shah Alam with 162, Klang with 160, Petaling Jaya with 158, and Banting with 157. Negeri Sembilan had Nilai with a reading of 173, Seremban with 170, and Port Dickson with 153, while Melaka had Bukit Rambai with 164, Alor Gajah with 161, and Bandaraya Melaka with 155. Putrajaya recorded an API reading of 159, while other locations such as Cheras (157), Batu Muda (155), Sandakan (153), Serian District Police Headquarters (152), and Tawau (108) also had unhealthy readings. However, two localities, Balik Pulau in Penang and Limbang in Sarawak, were classified as having healthy air quality with readings of 41 and 45 respectively.",
  "summary": "JOHOR remained a key haze hotspot on Sunday, with seven localities recording unhealthy air quality as 25 locations nationwide registered air pollution index (API) readings above 100 as at 7am. The Department of Environment’s Air Pollutant Index Manag...",
  "key_points": [
    "Johor leads Malaysia's haze tally with seven unhealthy air quality hotspots.",
    "Selangor records five localities with unhealthy air, led by Johan Setia at 163.",
    "Only Balik Pulau in Penang and Limbang in Sarawak have healthy air quality readings."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Independent Singapore",
        "title": "‘We send oxygen to Singapore and Malaysia when there’s no smoke from our forests’ — Indonesia’s communications agency chief comes under fire for haze crisis remark: ‘It’s a natural phenomenon, not human error’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/we-send-oxygen-to-singapore-and-malaysia-when-theres-no-smoke-from",
        "published": "2026-10-18T03:00:13.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}