A-G may take action pending police probe

IPOH: The Civil Defence Force (APM) trainers involved in the snake incident at a team-building camp attended by 45 pupils from SK Beluru, Kuala Kangsar could be in more trouble after being suspended from duty.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers, in a statement yesterday, said it viewed the matter seriously and police had started investigations.

“We will wait for the investigations to be concluded before due process is taken.”

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said it was inappropriate for the trainers to incorporate a snake into the training programme.

“They are just schoolchildren. Besides, this is not a police training programme. Why the need to use a snake in the training?”

Khalid urged the person who recorded the video to step forward and assist in investigations.

“We are not going to arrest the person. We just want to record his or her statement because the person is the main witness.”

In the video, which has gone viral and sparked outrage, a group of female students, dressed in sports attire, were seen wading through a muddy pool.

A snake was thrown into the pool, leaving the girls in shock and panic.

Some of the girls were seen crying as a result of the incident. The snake was identified as a pet blood python owned by one of the trainers.

APM has since apologised and clarified that the conduct of the trainers is in violation of its Standard Operating Procedure, and has suspended those involved in the team-building camp.

The team-building module had been conducted at 23 schools nationwide since 2012.