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

TEMERLOH, Aug 23 — A civil defence officer was fatally bitten by a king cobra during a community demonstration in Temerloh yesterday, leading to his death early this morning, according to Malay news outlet BH. Sergeant Muhamad Muazam Shah Kamardin, 39, succumbed to his injuries at Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Hospital, as reported by BH.

Colonel Che Adam A Rahman, director of the Pahang Civil Defence Force, disclosed that the deceased's body would be handled and prayers conducted at Kampung Bukit Kelulut Mosque before burial at the Kampung Bukit Kelulut Muslim Cemetery, expected at around 9am. The incident unfolded at approximately 10.50am when Sergeant Muazam Shah, part of the Temerloh Civil Defence Force, was bitten on his right hand's middle finger during the snake-handling demonstration at Dewan Taman Temerloh Jaya.

The demonstration was organized as part of the government's nationwide health tour. Subsequently, Sergeant Muazam Shah left the hall to cleanse his hand but collapsed outside, eventually arriving at the hospital for treatment and placed in the Red Zone for critical patients. He was pronounced dead at 1.50am.