by Theleaders | August 28, 2026 3:36 pm
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 — Nineteen air quality monitoring stations nationwide recorded “unhealthy” air pollutant index (API) readings as of 1.30pm today, according to Department of Environment (DoE) data.
The highest API reading nationwide was logged at Serian in Sarawak, which reached 181. Cheras in the federal capital followed with 160, while two stations in Penang, namely Minden (159) and Seberang Perai (158), alongside Sarikei in Sarawak (158), rounded out the most severely affected areas.
An API reading between 101 and 200 is categorised as “unhealthy,” while 201 to 300 is “very unhealthy” and anything above 300 is deemed “hazardous.”
The Greater Klang Valley, including Putrajaya, accounted for six of the 19 stations in the unhealthy bracket.
Cheras recorded the region’s poorest air quality at 160, the second-highest reading nationally, while Batu Muda, Shah Alam, and Johan Setia were all tied at 152. Putrajaya stood at 145, while Petaling Jaya registered 129.
The persistent layer of smog over the Klang Valley prompted the government to relocate the National Day 2026 Prime Minister’s Address on August 30 from Dataran Merdeka to the indoor Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).
Event organisers cited the need to protect the “safety, health and comfort” of guests and members of the public amid worsening atmospheric conditions.
Unhealthy levels across other states
Beyond Sarawak and the Klang Valley, deteriorating air quality was observed across several northern and central states.
In the north, Perak registered elevated readings in Taiping (155) and Tasek Ipoh (150), while Penang’s Seberang Jaya stood at 154. In Kedah, Sungai Petani and Alor Setar logged readings of 153 and 145 respectively.
Further south in Peninsular Malaysia, Seremban in Negeri Sembilan posted an API reading of 115.
The haze has lingered across Peninsular Malaysia and western Borneo over the past week.
Authorities have stepped up bilateral preventive coordination with Indonesia to mitigate transboundary smoke, warning that dry weather conditions linked to El Niño could exacerbate fire risks heading into October.
The Ministry of Health has advised the public, particularly vulnerable groups, to limit outdoor activities and monitor official air quality updates through the DoE’s Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS).
Source URL: https://theleaders-online.com/haze-continues-choking-malaysia-as-19-areas-see-unhealthy-air-quality/
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