Malaysia

Unhealthy air quality hits 23 areas as haze spreads across Malaysia

Sarawak records the highest concentrations while parts of the Klang Valley, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Sabah and Johor are also affected

Updated 7 hours ago · Published on 21 Sep 2026 8:38AM

Unhealthy air quality hits 23 areas as haze spreads across Malaysia
Haze pushes air quality readings into the unhealthy range in 23 areas nationwide - September 21, 2026

UNHEALTHY air quality was recorded in 23 areas across Malaysia as of 7am on Monday, with Serian in Sarawak registering the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at 168 and several major urban centres also recording elevated levels.

According to the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), Kapit recorded the second-highest reading at 164, followed by Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Sri Aman and Kuching at 159 each.

Miri and Bintulu recorded readings of 158, while Putrajaya and Samarahan registered 157 each.

Cheras, Seremban and Sibu recorded readings of 155, while Samalaju and Johan Setia recorded 154 each.

Other areas recording unhealthy readings were Politeknik Kota Kinabalu at 153, Shah Alam and Bukit Rambai in Melaka at 152, ILP Miri at 146, Kota Kinabalu at 140, Tangkak in Johor at 136, Port Dickson in Negeri Sembilan at 108, and Bandaraya Melaka and Limbang at 107 each.

An API reading between 101 and 200 is classified as unhealthy, indicating air quality that may affect health, particularly among sensitive groups.

The latest readings indicate that unhealthy air quality is being recorded across parts of Sarawak, the Klang Valley, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Sabah and Johor. -  September 21, 2026

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