TANJUNG MANIS – A black cobra that crawled into a washing machine pipe at a house in Perumahan Baru Tanjung Manis here startled residents yesterday morning (9 March 2026).
A spokesman from the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) in Tanjung Manis said that they received a call on an emergency line around 8.52 am about the incident at No. 79 in the Perumahan Baru housing area. Three officers from APM inspected the site six minutes later.
When the officers arrived at the scene, they discovered that the snake was a cobra measuring around one metre in length. The snake hid inside the washing machine pipe on the side of the house.
The team managed to capture the cobra safely using specialised equipment and techniques like pinning and baiting methods.
APM responded swiftly, ensuring the household’s safety while stopping the ongoing risk of harm to the residents. The snake was then contained and removed from the property.
Snake encounters are common in residential areas throughout Sarawak, especially in housing estates adjacent to forested or undeveloped land. Officials have repeatedly urged the public to be vigilant and to call authorities right away if they spot such wildlife.
The APM has also urged residents to inspect areas very close to their homes, especially pipes, drains, and storage spaces, which can act as hiding places for snakes.
The risk of reptiles entering homes can be reduced by taking preventive measures such as ensuring cleanliness in the surroundings and sealing gaps in walls or pipes.
This case demonstrates why it is critical to raise community awareness and the need for emergency services in maintaining public safety. This success came from local authorities’ preparedness in responding to wildlife emergencies.
