Air quality deteriorated across the country this morning, with 33 areas recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 6am, Astro Awani reported.
Data from the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) showed Batu Pahat, Johor recorded the highest reading at 195, followed by Nilai and Johan Setia at 188 each, Cheras at 186 and Putrajaya at 183.
Johor was the worst-affected state, with nine monitoring stations recording unhealthy readings. These included Pasir Gudang at 172, Tangkak at 171, Larkin at 165, Pengerang at 164, Kota Tinggi at 163 and Kluang at 161.
Six areas in Pahang also recorded unhealthy readings, led by Temerloh at 166, while Kemaman and Paka in Terengganu both recorded 156. Tawau in Sabah recorded 154, while Tanjung Malim and Serian recorded 153 and 152 respectively.
Another 32 areas recorded moderate air quality, while only Kota Kinabalu, Kangar and Langkawi recorded good readings at 50, 38 and 30 respectively.
Under APIMS classification, readings of 101 to 200 are considered unhealthy, 51 to 100 moderate and 0 to 50 good.
People, particularly children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions, have been advised to reduce outdoor activities and take appropriate precautions while haze conditions persist.
