Air Quality Update: 45 Nationwide Areas Register Moderate Air Pollutant Index Readings

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 – A total of 45 areas across Malaysia recorded moderate Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of Saturday morning, October 31, 2026.

Data from the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal showed Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur recording the highest moderate API reading nationwide at 83, followed closely by Cheras at 76.

In Selangor, five locations registered moderate air quality levels: Johan Setia (71), Klang (69), Shah Alam (60), Banting (60), and Petaling Jaya (58).

Johor reported moderate API readings across six monitoring stations, including Larkin (73), Kluang (69), Pasir Gudang (61), Tangkak (60), Pengerang (55), and Segamat (51).

In East Malaysia, 10 locations in Sarawak recorded moderate readings, led by Serian (68), Sri Aman (65), Samalaju (62), Mukah (61), Kuching (61), Samarahan (59), Sibu (56), Kapit (53), Bintulu (52), and Sarikei (51). Sabah recorded moderate levels in Tawau (60), Keningau (60), Kimanis (56), and Sandakan (52).

Other states reporting moderate API levels included Negeri Sembilan (Nilai at 66, Seremban at 62, Port Dickson at 56); Perak (Tasek Ipoh at 63, Pegoh Ipoh at 59, Seri Manjung at 54); Penang (Seberang Perai at 68, Seberang Jaya at 53); Melaka (Bukit Rambai at 61, Alor Gajah at 60, Melaka City at 59); Kelantan (Kota Bharu at 59, Tanah Merah at 51); Putrajaya (62); Pahang (Balok Baru Kuantan at 61); Kedah (Sungai Petani at 59); Terengganu (Kuala Terengganu at 55); and Labuan (53).

Meanwhile, 24 other areas nationwide maintained ‘good’ air quality levels.

Under national air quality standards, an API reading of 0–50 is categorized as ‘good’, 51–100 as ‘moderate’, 101–200 as ‘unhealthy’, 201–300 as ‘very unhealthy’, and 301 and above as ‘hazardous’.

Regional API Readings, Highest Locations, and Scale Categorisation

Key monitoring locations, state air quality breakdowns, and standard API ranges include:

• Top Nationwide Moderate Readings: Batu Muda (83) and Cheras (76) in Kuala Lumpur; Larkin (73) in Johor; Johan Setia (71) in Selangor; Serian (68) in Sarawak; and Seberang Perai (68) in Penang.
• Statewide Distribution: 10 stations in Sarawak; 6 in Johor; 5 in Selangor; 4 in Sabah; 3 in Negeri Sembilan, Perak, and Melaka; 2 in Penang and Kelantan; and 1 each in Putrajaya, Pahang, Kedah, Terengganu, and Labuan.
• Overall Status: 45 stations registered moderate readings (51–100 range) while 24 stations recorded good air quality (0–50 range).
• API Standard Thresholds: 0–50 (Good), 51–100 (Moderate), 101–200 (Unhealthy), 201–300 (Very Unhealthy), and 301+ (Hazardous).

–NMT