APM officer dies after being bitten by king cobra during reptile demonstration

A Civil Defence Force officer in Malaysia lost his life after being bitten by a king cobra during a reptile-handling demonstration as part of a health programme. Sergeant (PA) Muhamad Muazam Shah Kamardin, 39, succumbed to his injuries at Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Hospital in Temerloh on August 23, 2026. Pahang APM director Colonel (PA) Che Adam A Rahman announced that the deceased would be taken to Kampung Bukit Kelulut Mosque for funeral prayers before burial at the local Muslim cemetery.

Muhamad Muazam Shah, who was single and survived by a sister, was reportedly bitten on the middle finger of his right hand during the demonstration at Dewan Taman Temerloh Jaya. After being bitten, he left the hall to wash his hand but collapsed outside before being rushed to the hospital's Emergency Department. Despite doctors' efforts to monitor his condition, he was pronounced dead early the following morning.