KUALA LUMPUR • At least three places in Johor had unhealthy haze levels yesterday but the meteorological agency recorded moderate air quality in 39 other locations across the peninsula.

The Department of Environment website showed the air pollutant index (API) in Pasir Gudang to be the highest at 133; followed by Larkin Lama (126); and Kota Tinggi (104).

The API reading in Balok Baru, Pahang, was also unhealthy at 108, from a moderate air quality of 93 recorded in the morning, Bernama news agency reported.

The news agency said the air quality in Samarahan, Sarawak, improved to a moderate API of 93 from an unhealthy air quality of 108 recorded in the morning.

Thirty-nine other places also recorded moderate air quality, including Indera Mahkota, Pahang (100); Sarikei, Sarawak (89); Kemaman, Terengganu (96); Banting, Selangor (86); Shah Alam, Selangor (87); Batu Muda, Kuala Lumpur (87); Putrajaya (86) and Malacca City (83).

An API reading of zero to 50 indicates good air quality; 51 to 100, moderate; 101 to 200, unhealthy; 201 to 300, very unhealthy; and 301 and above, hazardous.

Meanwhile, a meeting between the Malaysian and the Indonesian environment ministers over the haze has been postponed again because of the deteriorating situation in Indonesia.

The meeting between Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, and Indonesian Minister of Environment and Forestry, Dr Siti Nurbaya Bakar, was scheduled to take place yesterday, according to Bernama.

It said Mr Wan Junaidi had to shelve his trip to Jakarta because of the worsening haze in Indonesia.

The meeting between the two ministers, to discuss the contents and terms of a memorandum of understanding to combat the trans-boundary haze, was first scheduled for last Friday.