SARIKEI recorded Malaysia’s highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at 194 as haze continued to affect large parts of the country, with 15 areas recording unhealthy air quality as of 8am today.
Data from the Department of Environment’s (DOE) Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) showed Sarawak dominating the list of unhealthy locations, accounting for 10 of the 15 areas.
After Sarikei, Serian recorded an API reading of 188, followed by Samarahan at 181, Kuching (172), Samalaju (164), Sri Aman (158), Sibu (155), Mukah (153) and Bintulu (106).
In the peninsula, Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur recorded 166, while four areas in Johor also recorded unhealthy readings — Kluang at 149, Larkin (146), Batu Pahat (143) and Pasir Gudang (105).
Bukit Rambai in Melaka recorded 104.
Meanwhile, 22 areas recorded moderate air quality readings of 80 and above, putting them close to the 101 threshold for unhealthy air.
Cheras in Kuala Lumpur recorded the highest reading in the moderate category at 99, followed by Seremban, Alor Gajah, Tangkak and Segamat, all at 98.
Other areas recording relatively high moderate readings were Nilai and Pengerang at 96 each, Tasek Ipoh (95), Johan Setia in Selangor (94), Kota Tinggi (91), Institut Latihan Perindustrian Miri in Sarawak (90) and Putrajaya (88).
Other locations were Balok Baru and Indera Mahkota in Kuantan at 88 and 83 respectively, Jerantut (85), Tanjung Malim (84), Temerloh (84), Seri Manjung (83), Shah Alam (82), Banting (80), Bandaraya Melaka (80) and Kemaman (80).
Haze has affected parts of Sarawak since late August, with Serian previously recording hazardous API readings above 300 amid continuing hotspot activity in Kalimantan and Sumatra.
Under the API classification, readings of zero to 50 indicate good air quality, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy and readings above 300 hazardous. - September 10, 2026
