Six Sarawak Districts Record ‘Very Unhealthy’ Air Quality as Nationwide Haze Persists

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 5 — Air quality across Malaysia continues to be impacted by persistent haze, with six locations in Sarawak registering Air Pollutant Index (API) readings in the “very unhealthy” category as of 4 pm today.

According to data from the Department of Environment’s Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), Kuching recorded the highest reading in the country at 264. The five other affected areas in Sarawak with very unhealthy readings include the Serian District Police Headquarters (259), Sri Aman (240), Samarahan (220), Bintulu (210), and Samalaju (207).

Across the country, a total of 25 monitoring stations recorded “unhealthy” API levels spanning multiple states and federal territories. In Sarawak, seven stations recorded unhealthy air quality, led by the Miri Industrial Training Institute (ILP) at 191, Mukah (188), Miri (183), Sarikei (180), Sibu (175), Limbang (162), and Kapit (152).

Other eastern regions reporting unhealthy air quality included Kimanis (170), Kota Kinabalu (157), and the Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic (156) in Sabah, alongside the Federal Territory of Labuan at 169.

In Peninsular Malaysia, several states also registered degraded air conditions. Johor recorded unhealthy readings in Batu Pahat (157), Tangkak (157), Segamat (156), Kluang (155), and Larkin (153). Melaka reported elevated pollution levels in Bukit Rambai (158), Alor Gajah (154), and Bandaraya Melaka (103), while Negeri Sembilan saw unhealthy conditions in Nilai (156), Seremban (154), and Port Dickson (105). In Selangor, Johan Setia registered an API of 158 and Putrajaya recorded 147, while Balok Baru Kuantan in Pahang recorded 144.

APIMS data indicated that 27 stations nationwide maintained “moderate” air quality, while 10 stations recorded “good” levels. Under the national air quality index, readings between 0 and 50 indicate good air quality, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and readings above 300 are classified as hazardous.

–NMT