Hazy math: DoE explains why your AQI says 250 when the official API is 175

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 — Air quality remained at unhealthy levels across broad swathes of Malaysia this morning, prompting the closure of all schools in Selangor, Melaka, and Negeri Sembilan as Seremban logged the nation’s highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at 186.

According to Department of Environment (DOE) surveillance data as of 8.30am, 38 out of 68 monitoring stations nationwide recorded unhealthy air quality (API 101 to 200).

None of the stations recorded good air quality, 30 registered moderate levels, and none breached the very unhealthy benchmark of 201.

Seven monitoring stations exceeded the critical 180 mark this morning. Following Seremban (186), the next highest readings were recorded in Bandaraya Melaka at 184, alongside a three-way tie at 183 among Nilai in Negeri Sembilan, Bukit Rambai in Melaka, and Segamat in Johor. Peat fire flashpoint Johan Setia in Selangor recorded 182, while Tangkak in Johor stood at 181.

Just below the 180 threshold, elevated figures were logged in Pasir Gudang (179), Shah Alam (178), and Alor Gajah (177).

In Perak, Tasek Ipoh posted 176, Tanjung Malim 173, and Pegoh Ipoh 171. Kluang in Johor also registered 176, while Port Dickson logged 174.

Across the Greater Klang Valley, Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur recorded 172, with Cheras and Putrajaya both tied at 170. Petaling Jaya and Banting each recorded 169, while Klang posted 168.

In Johor, Larkin recorded 172, Batu Pahat and Pengerang stood at 169 each, and Kota Tinggi logged 164. On the East Coast, Rompin in Pahang stood at 170.

Readings were comparatively lower in the north and east, though still within the unhealthy band. These included Indera Mahkota Kuantan (162), Seri Manjung (159), Sungai Petani (157), Temerloh (154), Minden and Kemaman (153 each), Alor Setar (152), Seberang Jaya (151), Kuala Selangor (145), Taiping (130), Seberang Perai (120), and Balok Baru Kuantan, which posted the lowest unhealthy reading at 107.

School shutdowns and home-based learning

All primary and secondary schools across Selangor, Melaka, and Negeri Sembilan are closed today following directives from the Ministry of Education.

Under ministry guidelines announced yesterday, all educational institutions in areas where API readings breach 180 must suspend physical classes and transition immediately to home-based teaching and learning (PdPR).

The ministry also instructed that schools in districts where API levels linger above 150 for three consecutive days must close from Monday, October 12.

Education Director-General Datuk Mohd Azam Ahmad said the pre-emptive closures were implemented to shield students and educators from hazardous particulate exposure, following royal concerns expressed by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia.

The DOE attributed the choking haze to prolonged dry weather and hundreds of fire hotspots across Sumatra and Kalimantan.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday described the situation as alarming, confirming that the government has intensified cloud seeding operations in cloud-viable zones to mitigate the pollution.