Unhealthy Air Blankets 33 Areas Nationwide as Johan Setia and Kuching Near ‘Very Unhealthy’ Threshold

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 — A widespread haze episode left 33 areas across Malaysia waking to unhealthy air quality levels this morning, with Johan Setia in Selangor and Kuching in Sarawak edging close to the “very unhealthy” benchmark as of 9 am.

Data from the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal showed that Johan Setia registered the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading in the country at 196, followed closely by Kuching at 191.

Selangor accounted for six affected locations, with Shah Alam recording 171, Banting at 166, Petaling Jaya at 163, Klang at 160, and Kuala Selangor at 143.

In Sarawak, nine areas recorded unhealthy air quality, led by Kuching (191), Samarahan (183), IPD Serian (178), Sibu (160), Sarikei (159), Bintulu (155), Sri Aman (153), and Mukah (124).

The Federal Territories also experienced elevated pollution levels, with Putrajaya logging an API of 174, while Cheras and Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur recorded 166 and 165 respectively.

Across other states in Peninsular Malaysia, multiple locations registered unhealthy levels:

• Negeri Sembilan: Nilai (181), Seremban (171), and Port Dickson (159).
• Perak: Seri Manjung (175), Tasek Ipoh (171), Tanjung Malim (153), and Pegoh Ipoh (152).
• Melaka: Alor Gajah (164), Bukit Rambai (161), and Bandaraya Melaka (152).
• Johor: Tangkak (160), Segamat (158), Batu Pahat (155), Kluang (152), and Larkin (128).
• Pahang: Temerloh (151).

Meanwhile, another 33 monitoring stations nationwide logged moderate air quality readings.

Under national environmental guidelines, an API reading of 0 to 50 categorises air quality as good, 51 to 100 as moderate, 101 to 200 as unhealthy, 201 to 300 as very unhealthy, and 301 and above as hazardous.

–NMT