Eight areas record unhealthy IPU as of 8 a.m

KUALA LUMPUR, 6 OCTOBER 2026 —

Kuala Lumpur, 4 October – Eight areas across Malaysia recorded unhealthy Air Pollution Index (IPU) readings due to haze as of 8:00 a.m., according to the Malaysian Air Pollution Index Management System (APIMS).

The system identified Johan Setia in Selangor as the location with the highest pollution level, registering an IPU of 154, followed by Larkin and Pasir Gudang in Johor, both of which recorded readings of 153.

The deterioration in air quality marks a significant escalation in the regional haze situation, impacting public health and daily activities in key economic hubs. As the number of monitoring stations reporting unhealthy conditions rises, the focus shifts to the immediate health risks posed to vulnerable populations and the broader implications for sectors sensitive to environmental conditions.

The data indicates a widespread issue rather than an isolated incident, with multiple states including Selangor, Johor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Negeri Sembilan affected simultaneously.

Detailed figures from the 8:00 a.m. report showed that Cheras in Kuala Lumpur and Batu Pahat in Johor both recorded IPU readings of 152. Putrajaya followed closely with a reading of 151. In Negeri Sembilan, the Nilai station recorded an IPU of 127, while Segamat in Johor registered 104. These readings place all eight locations firmly in the "unhealthy" category, which APIMS defines as an IPU range of 101 to 200.

The system noted that 59 other areas across the country recorded "moderate" readings, defined as an IPU between 51 and 100, while only one area recorded a "good" reading, categorized as an IPU between 0 and 50.

By 12:00 noon, the situation had worsened, with the number of stations recording unhealthy air quality increasing to nine, according to updated data from APIMS. Batu Pahat in Johor emerged as the location with the highest national reading at 12:00 noon, recording an IPU of 156. Larkin and Pasir Gudang in Johor both rose to 155.

In the Klang Valley, Cheras in Kuala Lumpur recorded 153, Johan Setia in Selangor recorded 152, and Putrajaya recorded 151. Nilai in Negeri Sembilan saw its reading drop slightly to 122 but remained in the unhealthy category.

Two additional areas entered the unhealthy category by midday. The IPD Serian station in Sarawak recorded an IPU of 123, and Bukit Rambai in Melaka recorded 109. This expansion of the affected zone highlights the geographic spread of the haze, affecting not only the western peninsula but also parts of East Malaysia. Meanwhile, 58 monitoring stations nationwide remained in the moderate category.

Several areas were noted as being close to entering the unhealthy threshold, including Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur with a reading of 98, followed by Segamat and Kuching at 97, Kluang at 96, and Shah Alam at 94.

The only station in the country to record a "good" air quality reading at midday was Langkawi in Kedah, with an IPU of 31. The APIMS classification system remains consistent, with readings of 0 to 50 considered good, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and above 300 hazardous.

The persistence of high readings in industrial and urban centers such as Johor and the Klang Valley underscores the severity of the current haze episode.

Public health authorities have issued specific advisories in response to the deteriorating conditions. The public, particularly those residing in areas with unhealthy readings, has been advised to reduce outdoor physical activities. Special precautions have been urged for high-risk groups, including children, the elderly, and individuals suffering from respiratory diseases. These groups are advised to take appropriate health preventive measures throughout the duration of the haze episode to mitigate potential health impacts.

The progression from eight to nine unhealthy stations within a four-hour window indicates a dynamic and worsening situation. The concentration of high IPU readings in Johor and the Klang Valley, which are major economic and population centers, suggests significant implications for local communities and businesses. The data from APIMS provides a critical baseline for assessing the scale of the environmental challenge, with the midday figures confirming the trend of increasing pollution levels across multiple states.

The situation remains under close monitoring as authorities track the movement and intensity of the haze.

Related: Malaysian Air Pollution Index Management System (APIMS)