Nationwide Haze Worsens As 27 Areas Register Unhealthy API Levels On October 19

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 – Air quality across Malaysia deteriorated further on Monday morning, with 27 areas nationwide recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 9:00 AM, led by Johan Setia in Selangor, which logged the highest level at 172.

Data from the Department of Environment’s (DOE) Air Pollutant Index of Malaysia (APIMS) portal revealed widespread haze impacting multiple states, including Johor, Selangor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Sarawak, and the Federal Territories.

Of the remaining monitoring stations across the country, 38 areas registered moderate air quality levels, while only three areas maintained good API readings.

An API reading between 0 and 50 indicates good air quality, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and 300 and above hazardous.

Breakdown of Unhealthy API Readings by State and Territory

The APIMS monitoring system reported the following elevated API readings across affected regions as of 9:00 AM:

• Johor (7 Areas): Tangkak recorded 164, Pasir Gudang 162, Batu Pahat 158, Kota Tinggi 157, Kluang 153, Larkin 153, and Pengerang 132.
• Selangor (5 Areas): Johan Setia topped the national list at 172, followed by Petaling Jaya at 160, Klang at 158, Banting at 156, and Shah Alam at 154.
• Melaka (3 Areas): Bukit Rambai recorded 168, Alor Gajah registered 165, and Bandaraya Melaka reached 164.
• Negeri Sembilan (3 Areas): Nilai registered 168, Seremban recorded 164, and Port Dickson reached 153.
• Federal Territories: In Kuala Lumpur, Batu Muda recorded 162 and Cheras logged 155, while Putrajaya posted a reading of 155.
• Sarawak (3 Areas): IPD Serian recorded 153, Kuching logged 152, and Samarahan stood at 128.
• Pahang & Perak: Rompin and Indera Mahkota in Kuantan recorded 158 and 149 respectively, while Seri Manjung in Perak logged 115.

Environmental and health authorities continue to urge residents in high-risk zones to minimize prolonged outdoor physical activities and strictly adhere to preventive health measures.

–NMT