TUMPAT: Despite the bustle of the hectic campaign for the Pengkalan Kubor by-election, Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan managed to do his civil duty and help capture a three-metre long python.
The Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister was giving a press conference at an eatery in Kampung Raja in Pantai Geting here, when he spotted the snake and alerted a fire officer.
Without wasting any time, Abdul Rahman and Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department director Azmi Osman hurriedly left the press conference to join several firefighters in capturing the python which had slithered away into some nearby bushes.
The captured python was then sent to the Wildlife and National Parks Department.
A villager, Wan Ali Wan Stapa, 57, said he would never forget the incident as it was the first time he had seen a Minister help to catch a snake.
"It is normal for firefighters to catch snakes, but it is different when a Minister rolls up his sleeves to do the job," he said.
Another resident, Saadiah Awang, 50, said: "The Minister is truly brave to capture a snake. Even we were terrified to watch him and the firefighters in action."
The Pengkalan Kubor by-election is being held following the death of BN's three-term assemblyman Datuk Noor Zahidi Omar on Aug 20, who succumbed to cancer.
The by-election will be a three-cornered fight involving BN's Mat Razi Mat Ail, 48, PAS' Wan Rosdi Wan Ibrahim, 56, and independent Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary, 47.
Noor Zahidi retained his seat during the 13th general election last year, with a majority of 1,736 votes, beating Saharun Ibrahim of PKR and Izat Bukhary. - Bernama
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