George town: The Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) recorded approximately 140,000 emergency cases related to snake captures nationwide in 2025, marking it as one of the agency's most frequent operations. The rise in cases is attributed to prolonged hot weather and rapid development in residential areas, which have displaced wild animals from their natural habitats.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, APM's deputy chief commissioner for Operations, Ghazali Abd Rahman, highlighted that the majority of calls originated from landed residential areas near forests, green zones, and new development sites. The states of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Penang reported the highest numbers of incidents. Ghazali noted that Penang alone recorded 8,193 snake-related cases last year, with an additional 669 cases in January, indicating a continuing trend.
Ghazali emphasized that each state records between 8,000 and 10,000 cases annually, amounting to approximately 140,000 cases nationwide. He stressed that snake capture operations are significant and directly linked to public safety. Ghazali shared these insights with reporters after officiating the Penang APM opening parade, with director Lokman Hakim Abdul Rahman also in attendance.
He further explained that snake capture operations are critical, as removing a single snake can potentially save one or several families in a residential area. Regarding personnel safety, Ghazali reported that injury statistics during snake capture operations are low, with fewer than 10 cases recorded annually in each state. Most personnel follow standard operating procedures, but ongoing improvements in personal protective equipment and specialized training are planned to prevent incidents.
Additionally, Ghazali mentioned that APM has formed a special committee to enhance operational capabilities through a comprehensive review of the organization's structure, staffing, logistics, training, and personnel safety. As the committee chair, he stated that APM is developing a long-term blueprint to guide the organization's future, ensuring operational readiness aligns with the increasing workload, including cases involving venomous animals.