Sarawak and Selangor bear the brunt as 34 stations log ‘Unhealthy’ API levels in Malaysia

People wear face masks as haze shrouds the KLCC Park area in Kuala Lumpur on September 16, 2026. — Bernama pic

By Malay Mail

First Published: Friday, 18 Sep 2026 8:42 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 — Air quality across Malaysia deteriorated significantly this morning, with 34 monitoring stations nationwide recording “Unhealthy” Air Pollutant Index (API) levels as of 8.30am, according to Department of Environment (DoE) data.

Readings across the country spanned between 104 and 198, indicating widespread haze coverage across both Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.

Johan Setia in Selangor recorded the nation’s worst air quality at 198, hovering just two points shy of the 200 mark that triggers a “Very Unhealthy” classification.

The next four most severely affected locations were concentrated heavily in Sarawak and the central-southern peninsula: Kuching (192), Samarahan (184), Nilai in Negeri Sembilan (181), and IPD Serian (180).

Sarawak and Selangor hardest hit

Sarawak emerged as the most affected state overall, with eight monitoring stations entering the unhealthy range. Alongside Kuching, Samarahan, and Serian, elevated levels were registered in Sibu (158), Sarikei (157), Bintulu (153), Sri Aman (153), and Mukah (104).

Selangor recorded the highest concentration of polluted areas in Peninsular Malaysia, with six stations logging unhealthy air quality.

Beyond Johan Setia, elevated readings were recorded in Shah Alam (171), Banting (167), Petaling Jaya (162), Klang (161), and Kuala Selangor (148).

Central and southern regions

The haze sat heavily across the greater Klang Valley and neighboring southern states. In the Federal Territories, Putrajaya posted a reading of 173, while Kuala Lumpur logged 166 in Cheras and 164 in Batu Muda.

In Negeri Sembilan, Nilai led with 181, followed by Seremban at 171 and Port Dickson at 159. Melaka recorded three affected stations: Alor Gajah (165), Bukit Rambai (162), and Bandaraya Melaka (153).

Further south in Johor, five locations crossed into the unhealthy bracket, comprising Tangkak (159), Segamat (158), Batu Pahat (155), Kluang (152), and Larkin (128).

Perak and the east coast

In Perak, four stations registered unhealthy levels, led by Seri Manjung at 176 and Tasek Ipoh at 172, while Pegoh Ipoh and Tanjung Malim both tied at 152.

On the East Coast, Pahang recorded two affected stations, with Temerloh at 151 and Jerantut at 107.

The lowest readings among the 34 affected stations were recorded in Mukah (104) and Jerantut (107).

The DoE is continuing round-the-clock air quality surveillance, with conditions expected to fluctuate depending on prevailing wind directions and regional hotspot activity.