KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 — The haze reading in Shah Alam is now at a very unhealthy level with the area's Air Pollutant Index (API) at 281, with many parts of the peninsula also registering deteriorating levels.

Port Klang also recorded a bad API at 252.

As of 1pm today, the API in Kuala Selangor registered 168, Seremban recorded 152, Tanjung Malim 147, Port Dickson 131 and Jerantut 122, all falling under the unhealthy category of the API.

Malacca City which had earlier in the morning registered an API reading of 101 is now at a moderate 94.

Areas in Johor, namely Pasir Gudang, Kota Tinggi and Larkin Lama have also registered moderate readings, while only Kangar, Alor Star, Langkawi and Tanah Merah have recorded good air quality readings.

An API reading of 0 to 50 indicates good air quality; 51 to 100, moderate; 101 to 200, unhealthy; 201 to 300, very unhealthy and 300 and above, hazardous.

Meanwhile, deputy education minister P Kamalanathan tweeted that the ministry would be issuing an early directive on school operations owing to the haze.

Selangor Mentri Besar Azmin Ali took to his Facebook earlier today, urging the Education Ministry to shut down schools in Shah Alam and Klang after API readings in the areas breached 200 this morning.

The API readings for Port Klang was 248, Shah Alam 268, Petaling Jaya 210 and Batu Muda 237, according to the Department of Environment's website, as at 9am today.