HAZE has pushed air quality into the unhealthy range across four states, with Sarawak recording the largest concentration of affected areas and Serian registering the country’s highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at 188 this morning.
Data from the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) showed five areas in Sarawak had unhealthy readings as at 8am, with Serian topping the list at 188.
Kuching recorded an API reading of 175, followed by Samarahan at 169, Sri Aman at 158 and Bintulu at 108.
The deterioration was also recorded in Selangor, where Johan Setia registered an unhealthy reading of 161 and Kuala Selangor 128.
In Kedah, Sungai Petani recorded 155 while Alor Setar registered 145.
Penang recorded an API reading of 134.
The readings place all nine areas in the unhealthy category, indicating increased health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups and those sensitive to air pollution.
Across the rest of the country, 58 areas recorded moderate air quality, while no monitoring station reported readings classified as good, very unhealthy or hazardous as at 8am.
The Department of Environment is continuing to monitor ambient air quality through 68 stations nationwide to detect significant changes that could affect public health and the environment.
API readings are updated hourly, allowing authorities to track changes in air quality as conditions evolve.
Under Malaysia’s API classification, readings of 0 to 50 are considered good, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy and 301 and above hazardous. - August 24, 2026
