Unhealthy air quality continues in Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka

 Schools in the three states and in Putrajaya will be closed tomorrow because of the haze.

Johor appears to be the worst-hit state with seven areas among 23 nationwide recording ‘unhealthy’ API readings as of 7pm. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Johor, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka, where schools will be closed tomorrow because of the continuing haze, continued to experience poor air quality this evening.

Seven districts in Johor are in the 23 areas nationwide with “unhealthy” air pollutant index (API) readings as of 7pm.

They are Pasir Gudang (177), Kota Tinggi (169), Larkin and Pengerang (both 166), Batu Pahat (158), Tangkak (155) and Kluang (153).

In Negeri Sembilan, Seremban recorded an API reading of 164, Nilai 160, and Port Dickson 153, and in Melaka, Bandaraya Melaka recorded an API reading of 154, followed by Alor Gajah (151).

Putrajaya, where schools will also be closed, registered an “unhealthy” API reading of 153.

Forty-one areas nationwide enjoyed “moderate” API readings, and four had “good” air quality.

API readings of between zero and 50 are categorised as good, 51 to 100 as moderate, 101 to 200 as unhealthy, 201 to 300 as very unhealthy, and 301 and above as hazardous.

Earlier today, education minister Fadhlina Sidek said all schools in Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Putrajaya will be closed tomorrow.

Fadhlina said schools in certain districts in Selangor (Hulu Langat, Petaling Perdana, Kuala Langat and Sepang) and Pahang (Kuantan and Rompin) will also be closed.

She said schools in Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, Penang, Perak, Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak, as well as certain districts in Selangor and Pahang, will continue to be open as usual. - FMT