Feedback from students who joined a controversial Civil Defence Department (APM) training camp in Perak revealed that not only were they not traumatised, but some actually enjoyed it and want to do it again.

However, the APM still regrets having made the campers wade through a pit with two pythons.

At a press conference today, deputy APM chief commissioner (operations) Selamat Dahalan said APM officials had sought the feedback from the SK Beluru students who participated in the camp.

"We had met the students and the teachers to obtain feedback from the students who were involved.

"We found that pelajar seronok (the students enjoyed it) and there was no trauma. In fact, some wanted to participate in the programme again.

"We will meet their parents soon, at the latest tomorrow, to obtain (more) feedback," said Selamat.

Selamat stressed that the APM "truly regrets" what happened and is taking the matter seriously.



'Docile snakes'

Internal investigations for breach of procedures are under way, assured Selamat, who met reporters at the APM headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

The matter was uncovered after a video clip of the incident was published online, in which a group of young girls were made to wade through a pit with two large snakes.

It was later established that the girls were from SK Beluru and that the camp was held at the Kuala Kangsar APM grounds.

Selamat said 1,622 school children from 23 schools had undergone the same camp between 2012 and 2016. The camps were aimed at teaching teamwork, obedience and communication.

However, the camp involving the use of snakes - which had never happened before - was held without the knowledge of the Perak APM and APM headquarters.

"It was reported that the use of small and docile pythons during the programme happened spontaneously and it was the first that it has ever happened. It was done without APM's knowledge," he stressed.

Selamat said APM officials will be meeting the parents of those affected by the incident to express their regret.