More areas recorded unhealthy air pollutant index (API) readings as of 6pm Friday, bringing the total to 16 nationwide.

Worst hit by the haze - due mainly to the forest fires in South Sumatra and Kalimantan - is Samarahan with an API reading of 182 followed by Sri Aman (177) and Kuching (163).

In Selangor, Port Klang, Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya and Banting recorded API readings between 112 to 116.

Batu Muda and Putrajaya also recorded unhealthy air levels at 120 and 108 respectively.

Port Dickson, Seremban and Nilai di Negri Sembilan registered 107, 127 dan 138, while Bandaraya Melaka and Bukit Rambai, was at 104 and 115.

Meanwhile in Pasir Gudang and Larkin Lama, the API reading was at 113 and 107 respectively.

As of 6pm Friday, 30 areas nationwide recorded moderate air quality levels, according to the Department of Environment's official website.

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