Collaboration with Fisheries Department Increased Local Communities’ Awareness on the Importance of Conservation

Lumut, Perak, 27 April 2016 – Malakoff Corporation Berhad (Malakoff) in collaboration with the Fisheries Department, today continued the Company’s annual “Kenali Penyu, Sayangi Penyu” Turtle Awareness and Educational Programme at Segari Turtle Management Centre (TMC).

This fifth edition of “Kenali Penyu, Sayangi Penyu” programme was aimed at promoting the awareness among the public on the threats to turtles. The event brought together 200 volunteers from Malakoff and the Fisheries Department as well as 20 students from Institute of Marine Engineering Technology, Lumut campus of Universiti Kuala Lumpur who actively participated in a host of activities during the programme. In addition, Malakoff also contributed RM10,000 to the Fisheries Department for TMC’s maintenance.

Speaking at the event, Mohammed Azmil Ismail, Plant Manager of Malakoff’s Lumut Power Plant said, “The ‘Kenali Penyu, Sayangi Penyu’ programme is one of our annual projects to demonstrate our commitment to environmental sustainability. Being the nearest neighbour to the TMC, we are aware of our role and responsibility to protect the rich ecological biodiversity especially in the areas where we operate.”

“Together with the Fisheries Department, we are able to increase the level of awareness of the local communities on the plight of the turtles and encourage them to be actively involved in conservation efforts of the species,” he added.

During the event, the volunteers participated in a gotong royong with the local communities to spruce up the buildings and vicinity of the Center. Participants also attended an educational talk conducted by a representative from Turtle and Marine Ecosystem Center (TUMEC) which highlighted the important part individuals can play in conserving turtles.

The highlight of the event was the release of baby turtles into the sea. The participants were given the rare opportunity to hold young hatchlings in their hands before an emotional send-off that saw the baby turtles disappear from the shoreline, into the open sea.

Acknowledging Malakoff’s continuous effort and collaboration with the Fisheries Department, Dr. Bah Piyan Tan, Director of Perak Fisheries Department said, “I would like to commend Malakoff for its commitment towards turtle conservation by its championing this event for the fifth consecutive year. Previously, Malakoff released two turtles with satellite tracking device to assist us in accumulating crucial knowledge about the endangered species and offer us with knowledge and experience that can further contribute towards more effective conservation of the turtles.”

Over and above the Turtle Awareness Programme, Malakoff has also been actively championing other environmental efforts amongst the local communities where the Company operates.

Previously, Malakoff had organised Giant Clam Restoration Project and Coral Rehabilitation Project at Pulau Mentinggi and Pulau Aur in Johor to sustain the restoration of the marine ecosystem around the islands. To date, Malakoff has also planted a total of 44,000 mangrove saplings in Pulau Pinang and Johor since 2011.