SHAH ALAM, Oct 12 — Johan Setia was the only area in Selangor to record an unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) reading this morning, at 123, even as air quality worsened across the country.
According to the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal, 23 areas nationwide recorded unhealthy readings as of 10 am, up from 14 yesterday evening.
Kota Tinggi, Johor, recorded the highest reading at 170, followed by Pasir Gudang, Johor (169), Seremban, Negeri Sembilan (166), Nilai, Negeri Sembilan (164) and Pengerang, Johor (164).
Meanwhile, 42 areas recorded moderate air quality, including five in Selangor: Banting (86), Klang (80), Shah Alam (76), Petaling Jaya (68) and Kuala Selangor (62).
Three monitoring stations nationwide recorded good air quality, with Langkawi, Kedah, registering the lowest API reading at 26, followed by Kangar, Perlis (43) and Balik Pulau, Penang (44).
An API reading of 0 to 50 indicates good air quality, 51 to 100 is moderate, 101 to 200 is unhealthy, 201 to 300 is very unhealthy, while readings above 300 are hazardous.
Yesterday, Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek said in a Facebook post that schools under the Hulu Langat, Gombak and Petaling Perdana District Education Offices (PPDs) would remain closed today as haze continued to affect several areas across Selangor.
The closure also involved all schools in Johor, as well as those in Bangsar and Pudu, Kuala Lumpur.
Fadhlina urged parents and school communities to refer to official announcements by the Education Ministry (MOE), state education departments and their respective PPDs for the latest updates.
Meanwhile, the Selangor State Education Department advised affected schools to inform parents or guardians of the closures and take the necessary measures to ensure students' safety and health remained a priority.
Previously, on October 8, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, expressed concern over students' safety and health amid the haze affecting the country.
He advised that schools in areas where API readings remained between 150 and 180 for a prolonged period should be closed.
