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) for the sixth year running.

This year’s edition of ‘Kenali Penyu, Sayangi Penyu’ programme continued to promote awareness among the public on the threats to turtles. The event brought together 120 volunteers from the Fisheries Department, students from Institute of Marine Engineering Technology, Lumut campus of Universiti Kuala Lumpur, and staff from Malakoff’s Lumut Power Plant. In addition, Malakoff also contributed RM13,000 to the Fisheries Department for TMC’s maintenance.

Speaking at the event, Ir. Mohd Azmi Jusoh, Plant Manager of Lumut Power Plant said, “The ‘Kenali Penyu, Sayangi Penyu’ programme is one of our annual projects to demonstrate our commitment to environmental sustainability. We want to be responsible to our neighbour, TMC by playing an active role in protecting the rich ecological biodiversity especially in the areas where we operate.”

“We are grateful for the good cooperation received from the Fisheries Department that we are able to increase the level of awareness of the local fishermen and community on the plight of the turtles and encourage them to be actively involved in conservation efforts of the endangered 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 TMC. Participants also attended a talk on turtle awareness 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, En. Kasim Tawe, Head of Management & Resources Rehabilitation, Perak Fisheries Department said, “I would like to thank Malakoff for its commitment towards turtle conservation by championing this event for the sixth consecutive year. Prior to this, 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.”

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.