The 38-year-old civil defence force officer has spent 16 years responding to snake sightings across Terengganu, calmly stepping into situations others would flee. Over the years, she has handled more than 700 cases, from king and monocled cobras to massive reticulated pythons.
Each encounter, she said, begins with observation. “When I receive a call, I first ask if the snake has been struck. If it has, it will usually be more aggressive,” she explained.
“At the scene, I watch its position and movements before deciding how to approach it.”
Even with years of experience, some species still demand extra caution. “The most difficult are king cobras. They’re fast, alert and very aggressive.”
Her steady approach is not just the result of training: Farah Nadia traces her instincts back to her late grandfather, Tahir Bidin, a well-known snake catcher who taught her to understand reptile behaviour.
That early exposure, combined with professional training, shaped a career in a field still largely dominated by men.
Today, she is part of a growing number of women in the Terengganu civil defence force taking on high-risk roles. Others include junior officer Nurin Qurratu Ain Norrozi, whose fearlessness around snakes started in childhood and never quite left.
“I’ve never been afraid of them,” she said simply, a statement that feels almost surreal given the nature of her work.
Since joining the force after graduating from Politeknik Besut in 2022, Nurin has taken part in hundreds of rescue operations, handling everything from small intruders to large, venomous snakes.
Like all recruits, she went through a structured training process before being allowed into the field.
“We learn in stages,” she said. “Senior officers guide us first, showing how to control the snake while keeping ourselves and the public safe.”
The job, however, is not without its challenges, especially outside the field. “Some people questioned my decision, saying women should be in the kitchen or office. Even my parents worry every time I go out.”
But over time, her determination won them over. “I showed them how much this work means to me, and I promised I would always take care of myself. Eventually, they understood,” Nurin said.
That sense of purpose is shared across the force. According to deputy director of operations Major Mohd Hafiz Asikin, women now make up about 100 of Terengganu’s 380 personnel, most of whom are trained to handle venomous creatures.
Training is rigorous. New recruits must complete both basic courses and specialised modules in handling dangerous wildlife, either at state level or at the defence force’s central training facilities.
They begin with observation, gradually building the confidence and skill needed to lead operations. This approach ensures that when the call comes in, every officer knows exactly what to do.
For Farah Nadia and Nurin, the risks are real, but so is the responsibility. Each rescue is about more than just removing a threat. It is about protecting communities, preserving wildlife and bridging the uneasy space where humans and nature meet.
So, when others step back in fear, they step forward instead.