Jeribu: Number of unhealthy IPU areas rises to 36, Johan Setia records highest reading

KUALA LUMPUR, 29 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

Jerebu: The number of Malaysian monitoring stations reporting unhealthy air quality rose to 36 by 4 p.m.

on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, up from 33 at 2 p.m., according to the Air Pollution Index Management System (APIMS). The spike was driven by three new stations—Minden (IPU 128), Balik Pulau (IPU 117) in Penang and Samalaju (IPU 116) in Sarawak—entering the unhealthy category.

The nationwide air‑quality snapshot released by the Department of Environment (JAS) for 68 active stations shows that the count of stations in the moderate category fell to 26, while only six stations remained in the good category. The highest national reading was recorded at Johan Setia in Selangor, where the IPU reached 176. Kemaman in Terengganu also saw a rise, reporting an IPU of 146.

The unhealthy threshold is defined by IPU values between 101 and 200, with 201 to 300 classified as very unhealthy and any reading above 300 deemed hazardous.

JAS explained that the IPU scale is divided into five bands: 0–50 indicates good air quality, 51–100 moderate, 101–200 unhealthy, 201–300 very unhealthy, and above 300 hazardous. The latest data indicate that the increase in unhealthy readings is concentrated in the northern Peninsula and Sarawak, where industrial activity and vehicular emissions are high.

Health officials have urged the public to limit outdoor activities, close windows, and wear appropriate face masks, including N95 respirators, to reduce exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that can affect respiratory health. The advisory comes as the Ministry of Health continues to monitor the potential impact of the deteriorating air quality on vulnerable populations.

For Malaysian markets, the worsening air‑quality conditions could influence consumer behaviour, particularly in sectors such as retail, hospitality and transportation, where outdoor footfall is a key revenue driver. Companies may need to adjust staffing and operational plans to accommodate reduced customer presence and increased health‑safety requirements.

The government’s next step will be to publish the full JAS air‑quality report later this week, which will detail the geographic spread of unhealthy readings and any planned mitigation measures.

Related: Department of Environment (JAS)