RESIDENTS in several states faced worsening air quality this morning, with 33 monitoring stations recording unhealthy or very unhealthy readings as Pasir Gudang in Johor registered the country's highest Air Pollutant Index (API) at 203.
Data from the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) at 7.30am showed Pasir Gudang was the only station in the very unhealthy category, while 32 stations recorded unhealthy readings.
Larkin, also in Johor, recorded the second-highest reading at 192, followed by Nilai in Negeri Sembilan (189), Johan Setia in Selangor (183), and Klang in Selangor and Seremban in Negeri Sembilan, both at 181.
Bandaraya Melaka recorded an API reading of 178, followed by Bukit Rambai in Melaka (177), Pengerang in Johor (175), and Seri Manjung in Perak, Putrajaya and Batu Pahat in Johor, all at 173.
Other stations recording unhealthy air quality included Port Dickson in Negeri Sembilan (171); Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur and Banting in Selangor (170); Alor Gajah in Melaka and Kluang in Johor (170); Petaling Jaya and Shah Alam in Selangor (169); and Cheras in Kuala Lumpur (168).
Tangkak in Johor recorded 165, Tanjung Malim in Perak 164, Kota Tinggi in Johor 163, Segamat in Johor 159, Temerloh in Pahang 157, and Pegoh Ipoh in Perak 156.
Kuala Selangor in Selangor recorded 155, while Tasek Ipoh in Perak and Rompin in Pahang each registered 153. Tawau in Sabah recorded 152, followed by Jerantut in Pahang at 140.
Sandakan in Sabah recorded 110, while Taiping in Perak registered 103. Another 35 monitoring stations recorded moderate air quality.
Separately, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) issued a warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds in several areas of Sarawak until 8am today.
The affected areas were Kapit and Song in Kapit division; Lubok Antu in Sri Aman; Kanowit and Sibu in Sibu; and Julau, Maradong and Pakan in Sarikei.
Meanwhile, the government will not pursue legal action or issue a diplomatic note against Indonesia over transboundary haze caused by forest fires for now, opting instead for diplomatic engagement to resolve the issue without jeopardising bilateral relations.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said legal action was not a step that could be taken lightly, as it could affect ties between the neighbouring countries.
“It is easy to talk about taking legal action. If we do that, it means we are prepared to sever relations.
“We have not reached that stage, and there is no need for a diplomatic note either,” he said after presenting aid to senior citizens, education assistance and general contributions under the Rembau parliamentary constituency in Rantau yesterday.
Mohamad said the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister had also contacted Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to discuss the issue.
He stressed that managing bilateral relations required careful consideration of various sensitivities before any action was taken.
“A diplomatic note is a last resort. We have not reached that stage. In managing relations between two countries, there are many sensitivities that we need to take into account,” he said.
His remarks followed a proposal by Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman for Malaysia to apply stronger diplomatic and financial pressure on companies linked to forest fires in Indonesia.
Syed Saddiq argued that repeated appeals were insufficient to resolve the transboundary haze problem and called for firmer action to address its underlying causes.
Separately, Mohamad advised Malaysians planning to perform the umrah to postpone their trips and consult their package operators before making a decision, citing the prevailing security situation in the region.
He said the Foreign Ministry had classified travel to the region concerned as unsafe at present.
“Umrah can be performed at any time. Under the current circumstances, we do not know what might happen.
“We did not expect Riyadh airport to be bombed or missiles to reach the area. This situation should not be taken lightly,” he said. - October 16, 2026