PETALING JAYA: Eleven areas recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 3pm on Saturday (Aug 22), according to the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS).
IPD Serian in Sarawak recorded the highest reading nationwide at 196, followed by Kuching (188), Samarahan (178), Sri Aman (175), Sarikei (174) and Sibu (162), all in Sarawak.
Bintulu (157), Mukah (157), Samalaju (155) and Miri (143) also recorded unhealthy readings, along with Bukit Rambai in Melaka (152).
Among the areas with the highest moderate readings were Johan Setia in Selangor (98), Sungai Petani in Kedah (96), Kapit in Sarawak (94), Minden in Pulau Pinang (91) and ILP Miri in Sarawak (91).
Seberang Perai in Pulau Pinang (90), Seri Manjung in Perak (87), Shah Alam in Selangor (87), Tawau in Sabah (87) and Alor Setar in Kedah (86) also recorded elevated moderate readings.
Meanwhile, 57 areas around the country recorded API readings at the moderate level, while no areas recorded good readings.
API readings of between zero and 50 indicate good air quality, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, while readings above 300 are categorised as hazardous.
API data is released hourly based on readings from 68 air quality monitoring stations nationwide.
