BATU Pahat in Johor recorded Malaysia’s highest air pollution index (API) reading at 93 as at 7am today, with 43 areas nationwide registering moderate air quality.
Data from the Department of Environment’s Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) showed Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur had the second-highest reading at 87, followed by Kluang, Johor, at 84.
Other areas recording moderate air quality included Pasir Gudang (82), Larkin (81) and Tangkak (75) in Johor; Samalaju (76), Sri Aman (74), Samarahan (70) and Kuching (70) in Sarawak; and Seremban in Negeri Sembilan (71).
Another 25 areas recorded good air quality.
An API reading of zero to 50 indicates good air quality, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and above 300 hazardous.
Meanwhile, Indonesia will hold technical discussions with Malaysia on deploying aircraft and personnel offered by Putrajaya to help fight forest and land fires, with the proposed assistance subject to an assessment of operational requirements and safety conditions.
Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said the discussions with Malaysia’s National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), coordinated by Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry, would cover the suitability of the assistance, deployment readiness, logistical requirements and flight safety procedures.
Acting head of BNPB’s Data, Information and Disaster Communication Centre, Berton Panjaitan, said alternative forms of support would also be considered if thick smoke and poor visibility hampered aerial firefighting operations.
“The discussions will also examine alternative support should thick smoke and limited visibility affect aerial firefighting operations,” he said in a statement.
Berton did not specify when the technical discussions would take place.
He said the planned coordination followed a meeting between BNPB head Lieutenant-General Kristomei Sianturi and Malaysia’s ambassador-designate to Indonesia, Datuk Muzafar Shah Mustafa, at the agency’s headquarters in Jakarta today.
Indonesia had received Malaysia’s offer of a CL-415MP amphibious aircraft, an Mi-171 helicopter and 44 personnel, including crew members and technicians, to support firefighting operations.
“The proposed assistance will be assessed further to ensure it meets operational requirements and conditions on the ground,” Berton said.
The two countries are also exploring technological cooperation in early warning and detection systems, data analysis, assessments of affected areas, firefighting strategies, research and personnel training.
“Operational control will remain under the Indonesian government,” he said, adding that all international assistance would be coordinated according to Indonesia’s disaster response requirements and prevailing regulations.
As at Oct 25, Indonesia had deployed 71,878 personnel on the ground and 63 aircraft, comprising 39 water-bombing helicopters and 24 aircraft for patrol and cloud-seeding operations. - October 28, 2026
