KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 — Air quality worsened across the country this morning, with 18 areas recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 7am.

According to the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), Sri Aman in Sarawak recorded the highest API reading at 189, followed by Serian at 168.

Sarikei and Miri also recorded unhealthy readings of 152 and 102 respectively.

In the Klang Valley, Cheras and Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur recorded API readings of 159 and 153 respectively, while Putrajaya recorded a reading of 152.

Three areas in Selangor — Johan Setia (155), Shah Alam (153) and Petaling Jaya (147) — were also in the unhealthy category, along with Seremban in Negri Sembilan at 104.

Unhealthy readings were also recorded in Penang at Seberang Perai (156), Minden (154) and Seberang Jaya (152); in Perak at Taiping (154), Tasek Ipoh (133) and Seri Manjung (106); and in Kedah at Sungai Petani (152).

Two days ago, the Cabinet decided to review the scale and locations of this year’s National Day celebrations on August 31 following the haze affecting several areas, including Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak.

Last night, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said hazy conditions are expected in Sabah from Saturday, while high haze concentrations could affect Johor, Melaka, Negri Sembilan, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya until August 31.

MetMalaysia said this was based on weather forecast models, which showed the influence of south-westerly winds and a persistently high number of hotspots in southern Sumatra and western Kalimantan.