UNHEALTHY air quality has spread across 11 areas in Malaysia, with residents in Sarawak and parts of the Klang Valley facing the worst conditions as haze and pollution continue to affect several parts of the country.
Data from the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) showed Samarahan recorded the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at 183 as of 9am today, followed by Serian at 182 and Kuching at 176.
Sarikei and Sri Aman each recorded readings of 158, while Mukah and Sibu registered 152.
The readings place all seven Sarawak locations in the unhealthy category, meaning residents may experience increased health effects, particularly those who are more sensitive to air pollution.
In Peninsular Malaysia, four areas also recorded unhealthy air quality, led by Johan Setia in Selangor with a reading of 154.
Kuala Lumpur recorded an API reading of 131, while Putrajaya and Shah Alam registered 104 and 101 respectively.
The deteriorating conditions could pose greater risks to children, older people and those with respiratory or other health sensitivities, while prolonged exposure may also affect the wider population.
Meanwhile, 55 areas recorded moderate air quality, with API readings between 51 and 100, while two areas recorded good air quality with readings below 50.
Under Malaysia’s API classification, readings from 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.
The API is updated hourly based on readings from 68 air quality monitoring stations nationwide, allowing residents and authorities to track changes in air quality throughout the day. - August 13, 2026
