Pasir Gudang records country's highest API reading at 190, 25 areas unhealthy

KUALA LUMPUR: Pasir Gudang in Johor recorded the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading in the country at 190, as 25 areas nationwide registered unhealthy air quality as of 8am today.

Johor was the worst-hit state, with eight of its monitoring stations in the unhealthy category.

According to the Department of Environment's Air Pollutant Index Management System portal, the other affected areas in Johor were Larkin (181), Kota Tinggi (181), Pengerang (178), Batu Pahat (169), Kluang (163), Tangkak (160), and Segamat (157).

In the Klang Valley, Johan Setia recorded 163, followed by Shah Alam (161), Klang (159), Petaling Jaya (157), and Banting (156). In Kuala Lumpur, Cheras recorded 156, and Batu Muda registered 155, while Putrajaya logged 159.

The readings came despite heavy rain in the Klang Valley over the past few days.

In Negri Sembilan, Nilai recorded 172, followed by Seremban (169) and Port Dickson (152). Melaka's Bukit Rambai, Alor Gajah, and Bandaraya Melaka recorded 164, 161, and 155, respectively.

In East Malaysia, Sandakan and Serian each recorded 153, while Tawau registered 103.

Only Limbang in Sarawak (45) and Balik Pulau in Penang (42) recorded good air quality.

Yesterday, Pasir Gudang recorded a very unhealthy reading of 203, with Johor remaining the state hardest hit by the haze.

Readings between 0 and 50 are categorised as good, 51 to 100 as moderate, 101 to 200 as unhealthy, 201 to 300 as very unhealthy, and 300 and above as hazardous.