Malaysia haze crisis affects 30 areas with unhealthy air quality

haze crisis Air Pollutant Index transboundary haze Malaysia air quality forest fires

Malaysia is facing a significant haze crisis, with approximately 30 areas recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) levels. The deterioration in air quality is attributed to transboundary haze moving from Indonesia, specifically from agricultural hotspots in Sumatra and Kalimantan, as well as localized smoke plumes.

Sarawak is among the most severely affected regions, with Serian recording some of the highest readings, reaching as high as 182. Other affected areas in Sarawak include Sri Aman, Kuching, and Samarahan. In Peninsular Malaysia, the Klang Valley and states along the west coast, such as Selangor, are also experiencing unhealthy air quality.

In response to the deteriorating conditions, authorities in Penang have prepared for home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) should the API exceed 200. Meanwhile, the Perak state government has stated that while the haze is present, it has not yet reached the critical threshold required for emergency measures like cloud seeding or school closures.

Entities

ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre · Department of Environment · Department of Environment Malaysia · Indonesia · Malaysia · Perak · Saarani Mohamad · Sarawak · Selangor · Serian

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] Up to 30 areas in Malaysia recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings. www.liputan6.com · www.beritaharian.sg · globalnation.inquirer.net
[○ 1 SOURCE] The deterioration in air quality was detected mainly in states along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and several areas in Sarawak.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Widespread agricultural hot spots were identified across thousands of hectares in Sumatra, Indonesia. globalnation.inquirer.net
[● 8 SOURCES] An API reading between 101 and 200 is categorized as unhealthy. malaysiatribune.news · mgperak.com · tvpertiwi.com · www.tvsarawak.my · berita.rtm.gov.my · +3 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] Moderate to dense transboundary haze was detected in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, moving northwards towards western Sarawak.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Schools in Penang are prepared to implement home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) if the API exceeds 200. www.utusan.com.my
[DISPUTED] Serian in Sarawak recorded one of the highest API readings, reaching 182. www.liputan6.com