Malakoff Corporation Berhad (Malakoff) in collaboration with the Fisheries Department, today released a second turtle outfitted with satellite tracking device at the Company’s annual “Kenali Penyu, Sayangi Penyu” Turtle Awareness and Educational Programme at Segari Turtle Management Centre (TMC).

This fourth edition of “Kenali Penyu, Sayangi Penyu” programme is aimed at promoting the awareness among the public on the threats to turtles. The event brought together 100 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, Abdul Rahman Hussin, Plant Manager of Malakoff’s Lumut Power Plant said, “At Malakoff, we are aware of our role and responsibility to protect the rich ecological biodiversity especially in the areas where we operate. The ‘Kenali Penyu, Sayangi Penyu’ Programme is one of our annual projects to demonstrate our commitment to environmental sustainability.”

“With Malakoff’s strong partnership with the Fisheries Department and the local communities, we have been able to successfully increase awareness amongst our local communities on the plight of the turtles and encourage them to be actively involved in conservation efforts of the species,” he added.

The day started with a gotong royong by volunteers from Malakoff and the local communities to spruce up the buildings and vicinity of the Center. This was followed by a talk on the release of turtle outfitted with satellite by a representative from Turtle and Marine Ecosystem Center (TUMEC).

The event reached its highlight when a turtle equipped with a satellite tracking device was released into the sea. The monitoring device was sponsored by Malakoff for the second time in Perak, with the first being in 2013. As the species spend most of their lives in the sea, data gathered about the turtle’s migratory behaviour would greatly benefit the Fisheries Department’s research and information exchange purposes.

Expressing his concerns over the declining turtle population, Bah Piyan Tan, Director of Perak Fisheries Department said, “The numbers of turtles nesting in the area are decreasing over the years. Hence, it is important to safeguard the two species that are nesting here in Segari, namely Olive Ridley and the Green turtles.”

“I am pleased that Malakoff has been supporting our efforts throughout the years. Our partnership has enabled us to accumulate crucial knowledge about the endangered species and offered us experience that can further contribute towards more effective conservation of the turtles,” he added.

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, Johor to sustain the restoration of the marine ecosystem around the island. To date, Malakoff has also planted a total of 44,000 mangrove saplings in Pulau Pinang and Johor since 2011.