KUALA LUMPUR: As many as 18 air quality monitoring stations in eight states recorded unhealthy Air Pollution Index (API) readings this morning.
According to the latest update on the Malaysian Air Pollution Index Management System (APIMS) website as of 9 am, Batu Pahat, Johor and Bukit Rambai, Melaka, recorded the highest unhealthy API readings at 163. Other areas with unhealthy API readings include Nilai (161), Larkin (158), Alor Gajah (156), Bandaraya Melaka (155), Segamat (155), Tangkak (155), Cheras (154), Port Dickson (153), Pasir Gudang (152), Seremban (151), Putrajaya (143), Banting (127), Rompin (120), Kemaman (111), Batu Muda (103), and Paka (102).
APIMS measures the API readings between 0 and 50 as good, 51 and 100 as moderate, 101 to 200 as unhealthy, 201 to 300 as very unhealthy, and any readings of 300 and above are declared hazardous.
Meanwhile, 44 monitoring stations across the country recorded moderate API levels. Some of the areas with moderate API readings include Indera Mahkota Kuantan (99), followed by Kluang (98), Petaling Jaya (97), Shah Alam (97), Klang (96), and Pengerang (92).
Only five areas in three states recorded good API readings, which are Langkawi, Kedah, with a reading of 47; Sabah, including Kota Kinabalu (49), Kimanis (28), and Keningau (36); and Sibu, Sarawak (48).