KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 — Batu Pahat recorded the country’s highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 197 at 9am today as unhealthy air quality persisted across parts of Malaysia.

The latest Department of Environment data showed 32 of its 68 monitoring stations in the unhealthy category at 9.07am, while 25 stations recorded moderate air quality and two recorded good air quality.

Johor accounted for several of the highest readings, with Tangkak at 172, Segamat and Pasir Gudang at 171 each, and Kluang at 167.

In Selangor, Johan Setia recorded an API of 190, followed by Shah Alam at 180, Petaling Jaya and Banting at 176 each, and Klang at 169.

In Kuala Lumpur, Cheras recorded 189 while another monitoring station in the Federal Territory recorded 177.