Widespread unhealthy air quality grips Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and parts of Indonesia

The ASEAN haze monitoring centre has identified scattered fire hotspots in Kalimantan and southern Sumatra, producing moderate to dense smoke that drifts over Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Kalimantan and both central and southern Sumatra. Meteorological forecasts suggest rain over Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and northern and central Borneo in the coming days, potentially improving conditions, while other parts of the southern ASEAN region stay dry.

Despite the expected showers, many monitoring stations continue to register unhealthy to hazardous air-pollution index (API) levels. In Malaysia, the worst readings are reported in Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, the Klang Valley, Perak, Pahang, Kedah and Penang, with API values ranging from the high 100s to over 180. No locations recorded good air quality, and the haze is likely to remain elevated in fire-prone, dry zones.