Haze in Malaysia: 29 areas record unhealthy air quality as haze situation worsens

The Department of Environment says air quality has deteriorated across parts of west coast Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak, with transboundary haze and dry weather contributing to the worsening conditions.

Malaysia’s air quality has deteriorated, with 29 areas recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 2pm on 25 August 2026, according to the Department of Environment (DOE). A further 38 areas recorded moderate air quality, the department said.

The 29 areas recording unhealthy API readings as follows:

1. Sungai Petani, Kedah (API: 153)
2. Seberang Perai, Pulau Pinang (API: 152)
3. Minden, Pulau Pinang (API: 156)
4. Balik Pulau, Pulau Pinang (API: 139)
5. Taiping, Perak (API: 155)
6. Tasek Ipoh, Perak (API: 155)
7. Pegoh Ipoh, Perak (API: 153)
8. Seri Manjung, Perak (API: 152)
9. Tanjung Malim, Perak (API: 157)
10. Batu Muda, W.P. Kuala Lumpur (API: 154)
11. Putrajaya, W.P. Putrajaya (API: 155)
12. Kuala Selangor, Selangor (API: 153)
13. Petaling Jaya, Selangor (API: 152)
14. Shah Alam, Selangor (API: 162)
15. Klang, Selangor (API: 151)
16. Banting, Selangor (API: 146)
17. Nilai, Negeri Sembilan (API: 154)
18. Seremban, Negeri Sembilan (API: 152)
19. Alor Gajah, Melaka (API: 152)
20. Bukit Rambai, Melaka (API: 155)
21. Segamat, Johor (API: 152)
22. Batu Pahat, Johor (API: 152)
23. Sarikei, Sarawak (API: 153)
24. Sri Aman, Sarawak (API: 170)
25. Samarahan, Sarawak (API: 156)
26. Kuching, Sarawak (API: 160)
27. Tangkak, Johor (API: 152)
28. Johan Setia, Selangor (API: 173)
29. IPD Serian, Sarawak (API: 182)

The increase in unhealthy API readings was reported mainly in states along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, as well as several areas in Sarawak. The DOE attributed the deterioration to haze smoke moving in from various directions.

The latest readings come as haze continues to affect parts of the region, with conditions in some areas being influenced by smoke from hotspots in Indonesia.

287 hotspots detected in Kalimantan, 65 in Sumatra

According to a report by the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) in Singapore on 24 August, NOAA satellite imagery detected 287 hotspots in Kalimantan, 65 in Sumatra, and 11 within Malaysia. Of the 11 hotspots detected in Malaysia, two were in Johor, eight in Sarawak and one in Selangor.

The ASMC Regional Haze Map also showed continued dry weather across most of the southern ASEAN region. Rain was reported mainly in northern Borneo and Sumatra, as well as in some areas of Peninsular Malaysia. Meanwhile, isolated to scattered clusters of hotspots were detected mainly in parts of Kalimantan and southern and central Sumatra.

Several hotspots were also detected elsewhere across the southern ASEAN region.

Transboundary haze moves towards Sarawak

The DOE reported moderate to thick transboundary haze over West Kalimantan, moving northwards towards western Sarawak.

Moderate to heavy smoke plumes were also observed over other parts of Kalimantan, as well as central and southern Sumatra.

Closer to Peninsular Malaysia, localised light to moderate smoke plumes were observed from hotspots in southern Peninsular Malaysia, the Riau Islands, and the Bangka-Belitung Islands.

Several air quality monitoring stations in West Kalimantan, western Sarawak, western Peninsular Malaysia, and southern and central Sumatra recorded unhealthy to very unhealthy air quality.

The DOE noted that the exact state of hotspots and haze in the region could not be fully determined in some areas due to cloud cover.

DOE steps up enforcement and patrols

In response to the deteriorating conditions, the DOE said it has increased enforcement actions and daily patrols in areas with the potential for open burning.

The department is also continuing to monitor API readings.

The National Open Burning Action Plan and National Haze Action Plan (NHA) have been activated to coordinate government agencies’ responses to open burning and the national haze situation.

The DOE has also advised landowners to closely monitor areas that are prone to fires, including landfills, forests, peatlands, farms, agricultural areas and industrial sites.

Landowners have been urged to take steps to prevent encroachment by parties that could cause open burning, whether deliberately or accidentally.

National Haze Action Plan outlines further measures

Under the NHA, DOE will continue to monitor air quality and coordinate responses with relevant agencies through the relevant disaster management mechanism.

The plan sets out several actions depending on API levels.

If the API reading exceeds 150 for more than 24 hours, the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) will activate the Disaster Management Committee at district, state or central level.

When the API reading exceeds 100, all activities outside classrooms are to be stopped.

Schools, kindergartens, and nurseries are to be closed immediately when the API reading exceeds 200. These institutions are required to monitor API readings regularly and prepare for closure if readings show an upward trend towards 200.

Cloud seeding operations may also be carried out when the API exceeds 150 for more than 24 hours, subject to suitable cloud cover and weather conditions.

DOE said it will, together with the ministry and other agencies involved in haze disaster management, continue to respond to the situation based on the measures set out under the plan.

Public urged to monitor API readings and avoid open burning

The public can check the latest hourly API readings through the DOE’s Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) or the official MyJAS EQMS smartphone application, available through Google Play and the App Store.

The public is also advised to refer to the Ministry of Health Malaysia's updates for health advice and preventive measures during haze episodes.

DOE reminded the public not to engage in open burning or allow their land or premises to be accessed by parties who may carry out open burning, whether intentionally or accidentally.

Under the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Act 2024, penalties for offences have been increased to a fine of between RM25,000 and RM1mn, imprisonment of up to five years, or both. A compound of up to 50% of the maximum fine may also be imposed for each offence.

The public is also encouraged to help extinguish small fires where possible and report cases of open burning or fires to the Fire and Rescue Services Department at 999 or the DOE’s toll-free line at 1-800-88-2727.

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Lead image / Department of Environment's Facebook