However, in Sarawak, the Department of Environment’s latest API readings during the same period showed an increase both in Kuching and Samarahan, from 243 to 271 and 213 to 229 respectively.

Some 1.73 million students nationwide have been affected by the closure of schools today and tomorrow, as 2,459 schools in six states and two federal territories were told to close due to API readings exceeding 200 in those areas.

According to a statement issued by the education ministry last night, the six states are Selangor, Penang, Kedah, Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Sarawak while the federal territories are Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

In Sarawak, the state education department announced that 809 schools in 17 districts had been ordered to close this morning compared to 373 schools as announced by the education ministry last night.