Malaysia sees record haze as 35 sites report unhealthy air quality levels

According to the Department of Environment’s Air Pollutant Index Management System, 35 Malaysian sites reported unhealthy air-pollutant index (API) levels on Thursday afternoon. The peak reading of 181 was recorded at Johan Setia in Selangor, followed by Cheras and Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur with scores of 172 and 169 respectively. Additional locations—including Nilai, Putrajaya, Shah Alam and Seri Manjung—registered API values ranging from 160 to 169.

While 21 stations showed moderate air quality and nine were classified as good, none fell into the very unhealthy or hazardous brackets. The API scale defines 101-200 as unhealthy, and the department advises the public, especially vulnerable groups, to monitor conditions via its online portal and adopt appropriate health measures.