Temerloh snake demo ends in tragedy as officer dies after king cobra bite

Death After Snake Bite During Demonstration

A Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) sergeant died early Sunday after being bitten by a king cobra during a snake-handling demonstration in Temerloh. The incident occurred on Saturday at Dewan Taman Temerloh Jaya, and the officer, Sergeant Muhammad Muazam Shah Kamardin, was pronounced dead at 1.50am while receiving treatment at Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Hospital in Temerloh, according to the Pahang Civil Defence Force director, Colonel Che Adam A Rahman.

Col Che Adam confirmed the death and said the remains were laid to rest at Kampung Bukit Kelulut Cemetery, as reported by The Star. Malay Mail reported that the burial was expected to take place at about 9am on Sunday.

The Incident

The bite happened at about 10.50am on Saturday. Reports differ on which finger was bitten: Malay Mail stated it was the middle finger of the right hand, while a Bernama report cited by The Star said he was bitten on a finger. After being bitten, the officer left the hall to wash his hand and then collapsed outside, according to both sources. He was rushed to hospital and placed in the Red Zone for critical patients, where he later died.

According to Malay Mail, the demonstration was part of the government's nationwide health tour, and the Temerloh Civil Defence Force team had been invited to participate. The outlet also reported that the officer was single and had an elder sister.

A Lifelong Passion for Snakes

The Star's coverage highlighted the officer's deep connection to reptiles, quoting his sister, Siti Aisyah Kamardin, who said snakes were his "lifelong passion." She told Sinar Harian that this was the third time her brother had been bitten, with the previous two involving different reptiles. The last bite, about three years ago, caused a coma and a heart attack, she said.

Siti Aisyah added that her brother kept snakes at home, including cobras, pythons, and boas, and often brought them to demonstrations with APM. In the week before the incident, he had been handling snakes at home, bathing and playing with them, she said, noting that he seemed normal and she never anticipated such an outcome.

The Star also reported that the officer had told his team he had been bitten before, calmly placing the cobra back in its box and washing his hands before collapsing. The family, the outlet noted, would remember him not only as a dedicated APM officer but also as someone who lived and died with the creatures he loved most.

Conflicting Details on Age

There is a discrepancy regarding the officer's age. Malay Mail and a Bernama report cited by The Star gave his age as 39, while The Star's own report stated he was 33. The cause of the discrepancy is unclear, and this information has not been reconciled.

Conclusion

The death of Sergeant Muhammad Muazam Shah Kamardin highlights the risks involved in handling venomous reptiles, a passion his family says was central to his life. The APM and the wider community have mourned his loss, with tributes emphasising his dedication to duty.