KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 25 — Malaysia’s prolonged haze crisis showed no signs of abating today, with 30 monitoring stations nationwide recording “unhealthy” Air Pollutant Index (API) levels, according to data from the Department of Environment’s Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS).
An API reading between 101 and 200 is categorised as unhealthy, posing potential health risks to the general public while placing vulnerable groups, including young children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic respiratory illnesses, at heightened risk.
Sarawak remained the epicentre of the country’s worst air pollution. The IPD Serian monitoring station recorded the highest reading nationwide at 180, inching toward the “very unhealthy” threshold of 201. Sri Aman trailed closely at 169, while Samarahan and Sarikei registered 157 and 152 respectively.
Authorities have tied Sarawak’s deteriorating air quality to a convergence of transboundary smoke, dry weather intensified by the El Niño phenomenon, and localized peat and forest fires.
Across the peninsula, the Klang Valley was smothered by a blanket of acrid smog, with half a dozen stations across Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya crossing into the unhealthy tier.
Shah Alam recorded the highest reading in Peninsular Malaysia and the third highest nationwide at 162. Putrajaya posted 156, followed by Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur and Kuala Selangor at 155 each, Banting at 152, and Petaling Jaya at 151.
Air quality deteriorated significantly across other peninsular states as well. Perak logged widespread unhealthy air, led by Tanjung Malim, Seri Manjung, Tasek Ipoh, and Taiping with readings ranging between 152 and 155, while Pengkalan in Ipoh stood at 137.
In Johor, Segamat, Batu Pahat, and Tangkak all reached 152, while Kota Tinggi recorded 119. Elsewhere, Nilai in Negeri Sembilan and Bukit Rambai in Melaka tied at 155, Alor Gajah registered 151, while both Sungai Petani in Kedah and Balik Pulau in Penang logged 152.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability reiterated that this month’s widespread haze stems from prolonged dry spells linked to El Niño, below-average rainfall, and extensive domestic and cross-border open burning.
Members of the public, particularly high-risk individuals such as expectant mothers, senior citizens, and patients with cardiac or pulmonary conditions, are advised to minimise outdoor exposure, wear protective face masks, maintain high hydration levels, and strictly refrain from open burning.