A TOTAL of 27 areas nationwide recorded unhealthy air pollution levels as at 7am today, with Pasir Gudang, Johor, registering the highest air pollution index (API) reading at 176.
Data from the Air Pollutant Index of Malaysia (APIMS) showed that Johor had eight affected areas, followed by Selangor with seven, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka with three each, and Terengganu, Pahang and Sarawak with two each.
Other high readings were recorded in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan (173), Johan Setia, Selangor (172), Klang, Selangor (170) and Bukit Rambai, Melaka (169).
In Johor, Larkin and Kota Tinggi recorded readings of 165 each, followed by Pengerang (162), Batu Pahat (155), and Kluang and Tangkak (152 each).
In the Klang Valley, Cheras recorded 165, Putrajaya 164 and Batu Muda 162. Other affected locations in Selangor were Banting (160), Shah Alam (158) and Petaling Jaya (152).
Negeri Sembilan’s other affected areas were Port Dickson (164) and Seremban (159), while Melaka City recorded 164 and Alor Gajah 155.
In Terengganu, Kemaman recorded 155 and Paka 154. Rompin and Indera Mahkota in Kuantan, Pahang, each registered 153, while Serian and Sri Aman in Sarawak recorded 153 and 140 respectively.
Meanwhile, 40 monitoring stations recorded moderate readings, led by Sandakan, Sabah, at 96, followed by Kuala Terengganu and Samarahan, Sarawak, at 94 each. Langkawi, Kedah, was the only location recording good air quality, at 41.
Under APIMS classification, readings of zero to 50 indicate good air quality, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and above 300 hazardous.
Children, senior citizens and people with respiratory conditions are advised to limit outdoor activities and wear face masks while the haze persists. - October 14, 2026