Haze worsens: Two Sarawak areas hit ‘very unhealthy’ API levels, Kanowit at 244, Lubok Antu at 205

For illustration only. Kanowit has Malaysia’s highest air pollution right now with the index reading 244 for ‘very unhealthy’ at 8am on September 23, 2026. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

First Published: Wednesday, 23 Sep 2026 9:28 AM MYT

KUCHING, Sept 23 — Kanowit and Lubok Antu recorded very unhealthy air pollutant index (API) readings this morning, with the former registering the highest reading in Sarawak at 244.

According to the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) API Status for Sarawak, the two stations were the only locations in the state recording API readings in the ‘Very Unhealthy’ category as of 8am.

Lubok Antu recorded an API reading of 205.

All other areas, except Bario, recorded API readings in the ‘Unhealthy’ category.

Sri Aman recorded the highest ‘Unhealthy’ reading at 181, followed by Betong (MCAQM) at 180, Serian (MCAQM) at 179, and Kuching at 174.

The API in Sibu was 173, followed by Belaga (170), Sarikei (169), as well as Samarahan and Bintulu (168).

Mukah recorded an API of 162, while Samalaju and Miri both registered API readings of 158.

The API reading for both ILP Miri and Tebedu was 155, while Limbang recorded an API of 153.

Lawas recorded a reading of 128, followed by Kapit at 116 and Lundu at 105.

Bario was the only station recording a ‘Good’ API reading at 33.

Under the API classification, readings of 0 to 50 are considered ‘Good’, 51 to 100 ‘Moderate’, 101 to 200 ‘Unhealthy’, and 201 to 300 ‘Very Unhealthy’. — The Borneo Post