KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 28 -- Air quality worsened across the country this morning, with 18 areas recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 7am.

According to the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), Sri Aman in Sarawak recorded the highest API reading at 189, followed by Serian at 168.

Sarikei and Miri also recorded unhealthy readings of 152 and 102 respectively.

In the Klang Valley, Cheras and Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur recorded API readings of 159 and 153 respectively, while Putrajaya recorded a reading of 152.

Three areas in Selangor - Johan Setia (155), Shah Alam (153) and Petaling Jaya (147) - were also in the unhealthy category, along with Seremban in Negri Sembilan at 104.

Unhealthy readings we...