The haze situation continues to be at a worrying stage, as Department of Environment (DoE) data detected nine areas that are having poor air quality.

Based on DoE data as at 11am, Johor continues to be the worst affected state, with Kota Tinggi and Pasir Gudang having air pollutant index (API) readings of above 300 -- which is deemed as hazardous.

Muar, which air quality was hazardous yesterday, has "improved" -- it is now at the "unhealthy" level with an API of 193.

In Malacca, Bandaraya Melaka and Bukit Rambai are recording API readings of 215 and 191, respectively.

The other areas that are registering API readings of above 100 are Port Dickson, Seremban, Banting and Larkin Lama.

Air quality in Kuala Lumpur appears to be declining. API readings in KL, which were between 73 and 89 at 7am today, are now ranging between 73 and 93.

A level of 51-100 is considered moderate, 101-200 is unhealthy, 201 - 300 is very unhealthy and an API of above 300 is hazardous.

Malaysians are advised to stay indoor and drink lots of water during this period.

Meanwhile in Singapore, government monitoring site is showing that it has recorded a PSI level of 401 as at 12 noon Friday.

According to Singapore government guidelines, sustained PSI average levels above 400 on a 24-hour basis "may be life-threatening to ill and elderly persons".

At 1pm, data showed that the PSI level has improved slightly to 360.