Malaysia

Unhealthy air quality recorded in Selangor, 58 areas at moderate level

Johan Setia in Selangor recorded an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 151 as of 10am on Monday, making it the only location nationwide in the unhealthy category, according to the APIMS

Updated 1 month ago · Published on 17 Aug 2026 11:43AM

Unhealthy air quality recorded in Selangor, 58 areas at moderate level
Johan Setia hits unhealthy API level as air quality worsens in Selangor - August 17, 2026

JOHAN Setia in Selangor was the only location in Malaysia to record unhealthy air quality as of 10am today, with an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 151, according to the Environment Department's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS).

The reading placed Johan Setia in the unhealthy category amid continued concerns over deteriorating air quality in parts of the country.

APIMS data showed that 58 locations nationwide recorded moderate air quality, with Serian in Sarawak registering the highest reading in the category at 96.

Other locations with relatively high moderate readings included Samarahan in Sarawak at 90, Pengerang in Johor at 87, Kuching at 86, Banting in Selangor at 82, and Klang in Selangor and Sri Aman in Sarawak, both at 80.

Meanwhile, eight locations recorded good air quality, with readings ranging from 26 to 49.

They were Indera Mahkota, Kuantan and Rompin in Pahang; Balik Pulau in Penang; Alor Setar, Kulim Hi-Tech and Langkawi in Kedah; Besut in Terengganu; and Kangar in Perlis.

Under Malaysia's API classification, readings of zero to 50 indicate good air quality, while readings between 51 and 100 are considered moderate.

Readings of 101 to 200 indicate unhealthy air quality, while 201 to 300 are categorised as very unhealthy. Readings above 300 are classified as hazardous.

APIMS data is updated hourly based on readings from 68 air quality monitoring stations nationwide. - August 17, 2026

Spotlight

Malaysia

Immigration busts international scam syndicate operating from unused Kuantan resort

Malaysia

Malaysia prevents RM1.9b in scam transactions as BNM targets real-time fraud alerts

Malaysia

Parental involvement crucial in tackling school bullying, says PM as cases hit nearly 5,700

Malaysia

19-year-old female student strangled to death in Kuantan following quarrel; boyfriend arrested

Malaysia

Loke slams 10 Negeri Exco members for ‘backstabbing’ Tuanku Muhriz

Malaysia

Vandalism at mosque: Blaming the MADANI govt ‘unfounded and ridiculous’ (video)

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

MOHE: 1.16 million PTPTN borrowers owe RM10.7b in outstanding repayments

Malaysia

Police: Statements recorded after 13-year-old student sustains severe injuries in three-storey fall

You may be interested

Malaysia

Federal deficit narrows to 3.7% as new borrowing falls in 2025 - Auditor-General

Malaysia

Police: Statements recorded after 13-year-old student sustains severe injuries in three-storey fall

Malaysia

Loke slams 10 Negeri Exco members for ‘backstabbing’ Tuanku Muhriz

Malaysia

Unhealthy air spreads to eight areas as haze worsens

Malaysia

Cabinet to receive academic recommendations on 13thMP implementation

Malaysia

School caning was never abolished, Minster says

Malaysia

Rejected love, pent-up emotions can push teenagers towards violence, says criminologist

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

Stepsister testifies on emotional distress, claims stepmother prevented her from ever meeting Zara