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Twenty-one Malaysian locations remain under unhealthy air quality alerts

Serian in Sarawak continues to experience the worst air pollution levels in the country, with an Air Pollutant Index reading of 182 as of 8am. The district had triggered an emergency declaration earlier in September amid ongoing haze concerns.

LSN Malaysia · 20 September 2026

Twenty-one Malaysian locations remain under unhealthy air quality alerts

Twenty-one locations across Malaysia are currently experiencing unhealthy air quality levels, with Serian in Sarawak remaining the most severely affected area. The town recorded an API reading of 182 as of 8am, placing it at the top of the list of problematic zones nationwide.

Serian's critical air quality situation prompted authorities to declare an emergency in early September, signalling the severity of pollution levels in the district. The high API reading indicates that residents face significant health risks, particularly vulnerable groups including children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.

The persistence of unhealthy air quality across multiple locations underscores ongoing environmental challenges in the region. Authorities continue to monitor air quality levels closely and have advised the public to take precautionary measures, including wearing N95 masks and limiting outdoor activities where possible.

Members of the public are encouraged to check real-time air quality updates through the Department of Environment's official channels to stay informed about conditions in their respective areas.