Haze worsens in Malaysia: Nine areas breach 180 API, Seremban still the worst at 189

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 — Air quality across Malaysia deteriorated further this afternoon, with nine monitoring stations breaching the critical Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 180 as of 2pm, up from seven this morning, according to the Department of Environment (DOE).

Seremban remained the worst-affected location nationwide, climbing to 189 from 186 earlier in the day. Pasir Gudang in Johor recorded the steepest surge, jumping nine points from 179 to 188.

Bukit Rambai in Melaka followed closely at 187, while Segamat and Tangkak in Johor both recorded 184. Tasek Ipoh in Perak and peat fire hotspot Johan Setia in Selangor were tied at 183, with Nilai in Negeri Sembilan and Bandaraya Melaka both standing at 182.

Alor Gajah in Melaka and Larkin in Johor hovered right at the threshold, registering 180 each.

Nationwide, 37 out of 68 stations logged unhealthy air quality (API 101 to 200), 31 recorded moderate levels, and none registered in the good or very unhealthy categories.

The total number of unhealthy stations dipped by one compared to the morning after Balok Baru Kuantan, which previously held the lowest unhealthy reading at 107, exited the bracket.

Widespread school closures across five states and federal territories

The deteriorating air quality coincided with widespread school closures. Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek confirmed that all schools across Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya, alongside the Rompin district in Pahang, remained shut today, Bernama reported.

Schools in Perlis, Perak, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan operated as normal, with local education authorities instructed to monitor conditions closely. All shuttered schools were instructed to activate home-based teaching and learning (PdPR).

Under Ministry of Education protocols, educational institutions in districts where the API exceeds 180, based on official DOE records, must suspend physical classes immediately. In addition, schools in areas where readings remain above 150 for three consecutive days must close from Monday, October 12.

At 2.13pm, 35 of the country's 37 unhealthy stations were already above the 150 benchmark. It remains under review whether the 183 reading logged in Tasek Ipoh will prompt school closures in Perak.

Regional readings across the peninsula

Across the Greater Klang Valley, elevated readings persisted in Shah Alam (176), Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur (172), Cheras and Putrajaya (170 each), Petaling Jaya and Banting (168 each), and Klang (167).

In Johor, Batu Pahat and Kota Tinggi were tied at 172, while Kluang and Pengerang stood at 175. Port Dickson in Negeri Sembilan also logged 175, while Rompin in Pahang stood at 164. In Perak, Pegoh Ipoh recorded 175 and Tanjung Malim registered 174.

Northern and eastern states logged comparatively lower yet still unhealthy figures: Indera Mahkota Kuantan (159), Seri Manjung (158), Sungai Petani (156), Minden and Kuala Selangor (155 each), Temerloh (154), Alor Setar (153), Seberang Jaya and Kemaman (151 each), Taiping (129), and Seberang Perai (122).

The DOE attributed the persistent haze to prolonged dry spells and ongoing fire hotspots across Sumatra and Kalimantan.