Haze alert: 38 areas in Peninsular Malaysia record unhealthy readings

A general view of the city skyline shrouded in haze in Kuala Lumpur on September 15, 2026. — Picture by Firdaus Latif

First Published: Wednesday, 16 Sep 2026 5:54 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 16 — A total of 38 areas in Peninsular Malaysia recorded unhealthy Air Pollution Index (API) readings as of 5 pm today.

According to the API management system (APIMS) portal, six areas in Selangor - Johan Setia (183), Shah Alam (170), Petaling Jaya (164), Klang (160) as well as Banting and Kuala Selangor (159), two areas in Kuala Lumpur - Cheras (174) and Batu Muda (170), three areas in Negeri Sembilan - Nilai (170), Seremban (165) and Port Dickson (148), along with Putrajaya (170) - recorded API readings at the unhealthy level.

Areas in the northern region with unhealthy API readings include four in Penang - Minden (166), Balik Pulau (165), Seberang Jaya (160) and Seberang Perai (158), five in Perak - Seri Manjung (166), Tasek Ipoh (164) Tanjung Malim (161), Taiping (157) and Pegoh Ipoh (153), as well as two in Kedah - Sungai Petani (158) dan Kulim Hi-Tech (155).

On the East Coast, three areas in Terengganu recorded unhealthy API readings - Kuala Terengganu (162), Besut (145), Kemaman (141) and Paka (133), one in Kelantan -  Tanah Merah (155), and five areas in Pehang Temerloh (155), Jerantut (152), Indera Mahkota, Kuantan (143), Balok Baru and Kuantan (142).

Down south in Johor, three areas recorded unhealthy API readings - Tangkak (134), Kluang (124) and Batu Pahat (103), as well as three areas in Melaka - Bukit Rambai (155), Alor Gajah (153) and Bandaraya Melaka (145).  

Also, 21 areas in the country had moderate API readings, including in Sarawak - Kuching (79), Samarahan (67), Sibu (66), IPD Serian (60), Bintulu (58), Mukah (53), Miri (52), and Sabah - Tawau (73), Kimanis (66) and Keningau (54).

API readings between zero to 50 indicate good air quality, 51 to 100 (moderate), 101 to 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy) and 301 and above (dangerous). — Bernama