KUALA LUMPUR - Unhealthy air quality was recorded on Saturday (Sept 12) in the whole of Selangor and parts of Sarawak, Negeri Sembilan, Perak and Kuala Lumpur.

Selangor was the worst hit, according to the Department of Environment (DOE) website.

At 5pm, the Air Pollution Index (API) reading in Pelabuhan Kelang was the highest in the country at 146. The air quality in other parts of Selangor was also bad: Shah Alam (140), Kuala Selangor (136), Petaling Jaya (130) and Banting (117).

An API reading of between 0 and 50 is categorised as good; 51 to 100, moderate; 101 to 200, unhealthy; 201 to 300, very unhealthy; and 300 and above, hazardous.

The haze situation in Sarawak improved slightly overnight although three areas still had unhealthy air quality levels at 2pm: Kuching (112), Samarahan (125) and Sri Aman (105).

Unhealthy readings were also recorded in Batu Muda (143) and Cheras (121), Kuala Lumpur, as well as Putrajaya (119).

In Negeri Sembilan, the air quality was unhealthy in Nilai (117) and Seremban (115), and in Perak, Seri Manjung (113).

The Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) has postponed its Animazing Race to Oct 25 because of the hazy conditions, The Star Online reported. The event was originally scheduled for Sunday (Sept 13).

SSPCA president Dona Wee said the postponement took into account concern for the safety and health of the runners and those involved in the event as well as directives from the authorities.

"We had been advised to postpone the race due to the unhealthy air quality which is dangerous to health.

"The current hazy condition is also making visibility limited and this will pose a danger to participatings running along the route in the early morning," she said.