PETALING JAYA: Several areas in central and southern Peninsular Malaysia continued to record unhealthy air quality this morning as Malaysia enters its third month of transboundary haze.
At 9am, Johan Setia in Selangor recorded an air pollutant index (API) reading of 172 – the highest among the locations listed.
Across the Klang Valley, Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur recorded an API reading of 162, followed by Petaling Jaya (160), Klang (158), Banting (156), Cheras and Putrajaya (155 each), and Shah Alam (154).
In Negeri Sembilan, Nilai had a reading of 168, followed by Seremban (164) and Port Dickson (153).
In Melaka, Bukit Rambai recorded an API reading of 168, Alor Gajah 165 and Bandaraya Melaka 164.
In Johor, Tangkak recorded 164, followed by Pasir Gudang at 162, Batu Pahat at 158, Kota Tinggi at 157, Kluang and Larkin at 153 each, and Pengerang at 132.
Up north, Rompin recorded 158 in Pahang, while Indera Mahkota in Kuantan registered 149. Seri Manjung in Perak recorded 115.
In Sarawak, IPD Serian recorded an API reading of 153, Kuching 152 and Samarahan 128. Seri Manjung in Perak recorded 115.
Thirty-eight areas nationwide recorded moderate air quality while Balik Pulau in Penang, Tanah Merah in Kelantan and Limbang in Sarawak enjoyed good air quality.
API readings of between zero and 50 are categorised as good, 51 to 100 as moderate, 101 to 200 as unhealthy, 201 to 300 as very unhealthy, and 301 and above as hazardous.
The haze linked to forest fires in Indonesia has affected Malaysia since Aug 8.
On Oct 13, deputy natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said the haze was expected to gradually subside over the following two weeks as wind patterns changed.
However, he cautioned that changing weather conditions alone would not provide a long-term solution, stressing the need for stronger domestic enforcement and regional cooperation.