Sibu has become the latest area in Sarawak to record an unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) reading, bringing the number of locations in the state in the unhealthy category to nine as of 9 am today.
According to data from the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), Kuching recorded the highest reading at 167, followed by Samarahan at 164 and Serian at 163. Other areas with unhealthy readings were Sarikei (157), Bintulu (156), Sri Aman (154), Mukah (152), Sibu (131) and Samalaju (126).
An API reading of 101 to 200 is classified as unhealthy. In contrast, readings of 51 to 100 indicate moderate air quality and 0 to 50 is considered good. Meanwhile, readings between 201 and 300 are categorised as very unhealthy, with levels above 300 deemed hazardous.
Outside Sarawak, 46 areas nationwide recorded moderate air quality, while 13 reported good readings as of 9 am.
The APIMS portal provides hourly API readings from 68 air quality monitoring stations across the country, allowing changes in air quality to be tracked throughout the day.
