# Malaysia Haze Worsens, 35 Areas Hit Unhealthy API

> Malaysia's air quality plummets as 35 areas hit 'Unhealthy' API levels, with Selangor's Johan Setia leading the pollution crisis.
- Title: Malaysia Haze Worsens, 35 Areas Hit Unhealthy API · Malay Mail
- Summary: Malaysia's air quality plummets as 35 areas hit 'Unhealthy' API levels, with Selangor's Johan Setia leading the pollution crisis. Malaysia's air quality…
- Keywords: malaysia, haze, api, unhealthy, selangor, johan setia, air quality, department of environment, news, world, Worsens, Areas
- Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/09/18/haze-update-35-areas-now-with-unhealthy-api-selangors-johan-setia-tops-193/235635
- Author: Malay Mail
- Published: 2026-09-18T12:28:45+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: malaysia, haze, api, unhealthy, selangor, johan setia, air quality, department of environment, news, world
## Haze Crisis Deepens
Malaysia's air quality deteriorated further by midday on September 18, with 35 monitoring stations recording 'Unhealthy' Air Pollutant Index levels.

> Johan Setia in Selangor remained the nation’s most polluted area, registering an API reading of 193 at noon.
## Selangor Leads Pollution
Johan Setia in Selangor recorded the highest pollution levels nearing the 'Very Unhealthy' category with an API reading of 193.

> The reading keeps the area perilously close to the 'Very Unhealthy' benchmark of 200, after logging a peak of 198 earlier in the day.
## Sarawak Hit Hard
Sarawak recorded eight locations with unhealthy API levels, including Kuching at 184 and Samarahan at 175.

> Sarawak registered the highest number of affected stations nationwide, with eight locations in the unhealthy band.
## Klang Valley Affected
Klang Valley and neighboring states saw elevated pollution, with Kuala Lumpur logging 168 and Putrajaya at 176.

> In the Federal Territories, Putrajaya posted 176, while Kuala Lumpur logged identical readings of 168 in both Batu Muda and Cheras.
## Other States Impacted
Perak, Melaka, Johor, Pahang, and Sabah also reported unhealthy air quality levels across multiple locations.

> Johor logged five affected locations, led by Segamat at 160 and Tangkak at 159.
## Continuous Monitoring
The Department of Environment maintains round-the-clock air quality surveillance to track fluctuations from regional wind shifts and transboundary haze.

> The DoE confirmed it is maintaining round-the-clock air quality surveillance across the country, cautioning that readings will continue to fluctuate.
## Key takeaway

Malaysia's air quality deteriorates to 'Unhealthy' levels in 35 areas, with Selangor's Johan Setia recording the highest pollution.