KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 — Air quality across Malaysia showed modest improvement this morning, with 20 of the country's 68 monitoring stations recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 10.40am, down from 23 stations reported yesterday afternoon.

According to Department of Environment (DOE) surveillance data, 44 stations recorded moderate air quality, four registered good levels, and none breached the very unhealthy or hazardous thresholds. Readings between 101 and 200 fall within the unhealthy classification.

Johor continued to bear the brunt of the transboundary smoke, accounting for eight of the nation's unhealthy monitoring stations.

Pasir Gudang logged the highest reading nationwide at 181, climbing from 174 yesterday afternoon. Larkin saw a steep surge, rising from 160 to 176, while Kota Tinggi held steady at 169 and Pengerang remained at 166. Batu Pahat rose to 162, Kluang stood at 153, Tangkak recorded 151, and Segamat re-entered the unhealthy register at 138.

In Sarawak, Sri Aman posted the third-highest reading nationally at 170, up from 153 yesterday. IPD Serian held relatively stable at 154, while Samarahan improved significantly, dropping from 148 to 108 to hover just inside the unhealthy band. In Sabah, Tawau recorded an elevated reading of 155, up from 149.

On the east coast of the peninsula, Pahang had two affected stations, with Balok Baru in Kuantan at 161 and Rompin at 157.

In Melaka, all three monitoring stations remained in the unhealthy range: Bukit Rambai and Bandaraya Melaka were tied at 160, while Alor Gajah recorded 151.

Relief in central corridor and Putrajaya

Encouraging improvements were recorded across the central belt. In Negeri Sembilan, Seremban eased from 167 to 154, while Nilai dropped from 164 to 151. Coastal Port Dickson exited the unhealthy bracket entirely after logging 154 yesterday.

The federal administrative centre of Putrajaya recorded substantial clearing, dropping from 156 to 120, safely below the 150-mark threshold designated for potential localized school closures.

Industrial hotspots Kemaman, Paka, and peat fire zone Johan Setia, which were all unhealthy yesterday, also dropped off the affected list.

The latest readings coincide with widespread school closures in effect today.

Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek previously announced that all primary and secondary schools across Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, and Putrajaya would suspend physical classes today.

The closures also apply to schools under four District Education Offices (PPD) in Selangor: Hulu Langat, Petaling Perdana, Kuala Langat, and Sepang, alongside PPD Kuantan and PPD Rompin in Pahang. Schools in all other unaffected districts are operating as normal.

Health and education authorities have reiterated advice for parents, high-risk groups, and students with respiratory ailments to wear protective face masks outdoors and track hourly API updates through official channels. - malaymail