Unhealthy Air Quality Expands Across Malaysia As 38 Locations Record High API Levels

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 – Air quality across Malaysia continued to deteriorate on Thursday morning, with 38 areas logging Air Pollutant Index (API) readings in the unhealthy range as of 9:00 AM.

Data from the Department of Environment’s (DOE) Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal revealed that Segamat, Johor, registered the highest API level nationwide at 187, closely followed by Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, at 183.

Currently, 30 monitoring stations nationwide report moderate air quality, while zero stations report good air conditions.

State-by-State Breakdown of Affected Regions

Unhealthy air quality spans multiple states across Peninsular Malaysia:

• Johor: Segamat led the state with an API reading of 187, alongside Pasir Gudang (180), Kluang (179), Larkin (178), Tangkak (172), Pengerang (165), Kota Tinggi (164), and Batu Pahat (161).
• Negeri Sembilan & Melaka: Nilai recorded an API of 183, accompanied by Seremban (182) and Port Dickson (168). In Melaka, Bukit Rambai reached 172, Melaka City 171, and Alor Gajah 167.
• Klang Valley & Putrajaya: Putrajaya recorded an API reading of 173, while Cheras and Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur registered 172 and 168, respectively. In Selangor, high readings were recorded in Johan Setia (178), Shah Alam (170), Banting (167), Klang (166), Petaling Jaya (165), and Kuala Selangor (155).
• Pahang & Terengganu: Pahang’s highest level was in Rompin (174), followed by Indera Mahkota and Balok Baru Kuantan (165 each), and Temerloh (153). In Terengganu, Kemaman recorded 155 and Paka stood at 146.
• Northern States: Affected locations in Perak include Seri Manjung (160), Tasek Ipoh (159), Taiping (154), Pegoh Ipoh (153), and Tanjung Malim (152). Penang recorded unhealthy levels in Seberang Perai (156), Minden (155), and Seberang Jaya (153), while Sungai Petani in Kedah recorded 153.

Under DOE standards, API readings of 0 to 50 are classified as good, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and levels exceeding 300 hazardous.

–NMT