ALOR STAR, MALAYSIA - A 42-year-old man who was about to go to bed on Wednesday night had the shock of his life when he was greeted by a 4m-long king cobra in his bedroom in his house in Kampung Lubuk Batu, Jitra.

Osman Ahmad had turned on the lights in the room when he spotted the snake, poised to strike, near a mosquito netting.

He froze in his place, not knowing what to do. All he could think of was to shout for help.

Osman's shouts attracted the attention of several neighbours, who came running to his aid.

One of them, Zakaria Saad, said when the villagers spotted the snake, they decided to call the Civil Defence Department for help.

Department officer Khairul Afzan Yasin said four officers were despatched to the house and managed to capture the reptile which weighed more than 3kg.

He said the cobra would be handed over to the Wildlife and National Parks Department.