Air quality worsens across Malaysia: 38 stations in unhealthy bracket, Johor hardest hit

The reddish sun is seen through haze during a survey in Jalan Kebun, Section 30, Shah Alam at 7pm on September 14, 2026. — Bernama pic

By Malay Mail

First Published: Tuesday, 15 Sep 2026 8:57 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 — Air quality deteriorated to unhealthy levels at 38 monitoring locations across the country as of 8.45am today, according to Department of Environment (DOE) data, with Sarawak recording the worst reading in Malaysia.

IPD Serian in Sarawak posted an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 188, the highest nationwide and just shy of the 201 mark that would tip it into the “very unhealthy” category.

Close behind was Johan Setia in Selangor, at 183.

Johor had more unhealthy readings than any other state, with Pasir Gudang at 172, Larkin at 169, Tangkak at 166, Kota Tinggi at 165, Pengerang at 162, Batu Pahat at 160 and Kluang at 151.

The Klang Valley was also heavily affected. Cheras in Kuala Lumpur recorded 170, while Shah Alam logged 167, Putrajaya 165, Batu Muda 161, and both Petaling Jaya and Klang came in at 160. Banting, also in Selangor, registered 157.

Negeri Sembilan saw unhealthy readings in Nilai at 167 and Seremban at 164, with Port Dickson trailing further down the list at 140.

In Sarawak, Samarahan recorded 163 and Kuching 154, alongside Serian’s chart-topping figure.

Pahang logged several unhealthy readings, led by Balok Baru and Indera Mahkota in Kuantan at 161 and 160 respectively, followed by Temerloh and Jerantut at 155 each, and Rompin at 152.

Terengganu’s readings ranged from 157 in Kemaman to 153 in Kuala Terengganu, with Paka in between at 156.

Melaka recorded 157 in Alor Gajah and 155 in Bukit Rambai, while Perak’s readings spanned Tanjung Malim at 157, Seri Manjung at 154 and Tasek Ipoh at 141.

Selangor’s Kuala Selangor also featured, at 155.

The mildest readings among the unhealthy group came from the northern states. Balik Pulau in Penang stood at 131 and Minden at 111, while Sungai Petani in Kedah recorded the lowest unhealthy reading nationwide at 103.

Under the DOE’s API classification, readings between 101 and 200 fall within the “unhealthy” category.

Members of the public in the affected areas, particularly children, the elderly and those with respiratory or heart conditions, are advised to limit prolonged outdoor activity and to monitor further updates from the DOE.