PUBLISHED ONSeptember 21, 2026 4:15 AMUPDATEDSeptember 21, 2026 4:31 AMBYSean LerA total of 19 areas in Malaysia recorded unhealthy air quality on Monday (Sept 21) morning.
Data from the Malaysia government's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) shows that 11 of these areas were in Sarawak.
The remaining areas with unhealthy air quality are in Peninsular Malaysia's Klang, Selangor, Seremban and Wisma Putra.
Sarawak borders Kalimantan, while the stated areas in the peninsula are to the east of Sumatra.
According to the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre's data, the most hotspots are found in Central Kalimantan. Hotspots have also been detected, albeit in smaller numbers, in South Sumatra.
Its data on Sept 20 shows that there are 700 hotspots in Kalimantan, with another 32 in Sumatra.
Meanwhile, 42 areas in Peninsular Malaysia recorded moderate readings, while seven areas recorded good readings.
Malaysia uses the Air Pollutant Index for air quality.
A reading of between 101 to 200 denotes the unhealthy range, while readings of 51 to 100 and 201 to 300 indicate moderate and very unhealthy air quality respectively.
On Sept 18, Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto said he would receive assistance from Malaysia to help contain forest and land fires that have been raging for weeks.
Malaysia is expected to deploy three helicopters, an aircraft and 52 personnel to help put out the wildfires.
Japan has also deployed its Self-Defence Forces’ landing ship JS Kunisaki and three Chinook helicopters to assist in firefighting operations in Kalimantan.
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