KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 — Thirty-two areas nationwide recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 4.30pm today, according to the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal.
The highest reading was recorded at Serian IPD, Sarawak, at 173, followed by nine other areas in the state which also recorded unhealthy API levels — Samarahan (168), Kuching (166), Sri Aman (157), Bintulu (155), Miri and Sibu (153 each), Samalaju (131), Limbang (116) and ILP Miri (106).
Other areas with unhealthy API readings included Putrajaya (161), Nilai, Negeri Sembilan (160), Shah Alam, Selangor (157), Seremban, Negeri Sembilan (156), and three areas in Johor - Segamat (156), Batu Pahat and Tangkak (155 each).
Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic in Sabah recorded an API reading of 155, followed by Cheras in Kuala Lumpur and Bukit Rambai in Melaka (153 each), Melaka City and Larkin in Johor (152 each), and Petaling Jaya in Selangor (151).
Other affected areas were Batu Muda, Kuala Lumpur (147), Banting, Selangor (132), Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan (126), Alor Gajah, Melaka (119), Indera Mahkota Kuantan, Pahang (111), Kuala Selangor (108), Klang (107) and Balok Baru Kuantan in Pahang (103).
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 301 and above hazardous. — Bernama