34 locations nationwide remain in unhealthy air quality category

AIR quality remained unhealthy at 34 locations nationwide as of 8am today, with Johan Setia in Selangor recording the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at 198.

According to the Department of Environment’s (DOE) Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), Kuching recorded the second-highest reading at 192, followed by Samarahan (185); Nilai and the Serian District Police Headquarters (181); Seri Manjung (175); Tasek Ipoh (173); Putrajaya and Seremban (171); and Shah Alam (170).

Another 31 locations recorded moderate API readings, including Mukah, Sungai Petani, Minden and Seberang Jaya, Kuala Terengganu, Pasir Gudang, Tawau and Rompin.

Limbang and Sandakan were the only two monitoring stations to record good API readings.

Air quality readings in Malaysia are classified into five categories under the Department of Environment’s (DOE) Air Pollutant Index (API), ranging from good to hazardous.

An API reading of between zero and 50 indicates good air quality, while readings from 51 to 100 are classified as moderate.

Readings between 101 and 200 fall under the unhealthy category, while those from 201 to 300 are considered very unhealthy.

Any reading above 300 is classified as hazardous.

The classifications provide an indication of the level of air pollution at monitoring stations nationwide and are used to communicate air quality conditions to the public. - September 18, 2026