A month-long national campaign titled ‘Love Our Turtles: Call-to-Action’ is set to run from Aug 15 to Sept 14 across Penang, in a major effort to protect Malaysia’s endangered sea turtles and promote long-term environmental stewardship.
Organised by the Ikhtiar Foundation, the campaign aims to foster a deeper public understanding of marine conservation while uniting elements of education, sustainability, culture, and community action.
The campaign will culminate with a symbolic turtle release ceremony at Kerachut Beach in Penang National Park on Sept 14, graced by Tuan Yang Terutama Tun Datuk Seri Utama Ramli Ngah Talib.
“His Excellency’s presence underscores the importance of collective responsibility in marine conservation and affirms Penang’s unwavering commitment to protecting biodiversity,” said Ikhtiar Foundation secretary-general Khadijah Ishak at a press conference in Komtar yesterday (July 31).
The official launch of the campaign will be held on Aug 16 at Penang Town Hall, George Town, officiated by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
The launch event will bring together government leaders, civil society organisations, academic institutions, and local communities to declare a unified stand for Malaysia’s marine heritage.
Also present at the press conference were Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) chief executive officer Ashwin Gunasekeran, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) corporate management and community director Muhammad Muashraf Mohamed, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS) senior lecturer Dr Annette Jaya Ram and Ikhtiar Foundation ESG special project manager Leong Hong Kit.
Khadijah shared that the campaign will be anchored by three flagship initiatives.
“The campaign begins with the ‘Love Our Turtles: Exhibition’, which will run from Aug 15 to 31 at Penang Town Hall.
“This public exhibition will offer an interactive and educational experience on sea turtle ecology, the dangers of marine pollution, and how emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and environmental, social, governance (ESG) frameworks are shaping new approaches to conservation.
“It will then be followed by the ‘International Sustainability Congress 2025’ on Sept 3 and 4 at USM.
“It is a two-day forum that brings together thought leaders and stakeholders from across sectors and borders to explore pressing issues surrounding biodiversity, environmental governance, and sustainable development,” she said.
She added that the campaign will then conclude with the turtle release ceremony on Sept 14, where invited guests will witness the release of turtle hatchlings into the sea at sunset.
“This powerful gesture, led by His Excellency, represents both hope and commitment to a better ecological future.
“Complementing these main events is a wide array of community-based pocket programmes that will run concurrently throughout the campaign.
“These include beach clean-ups, mural projects, artificial intelligence (Al) and sustainability workshops, trishaw and Grab rider outreach, local food truck festivals, youth music nights, fun walks and runs, and creative educational sessions.
“The campaign is poised to become one of the largest environmental movements of its kind in Malaysia,” said Khadijah.
In his remarks, Wong expressed his gratitude to the Ikhtiar Foundation for choosing Penang as the host of the campaign, which is co-organised by CEMACS, USM, with support from the Penang government through MBPP.
“This initiative reflects our collective commitment to preserving our ecological legacy. Sea turtles are not only marine ambassadors, but also key indicators of ocean health,” he said.
Quoting a Cambridge University Press study titled ‘Reproductive Seasonality and Environmental Effects in Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) Nesting at Penang, Malaysia’, Wong revealed that 383 green turtle nests were recorded in Penang between 2010 and 2016, averaging 54.7 nests per year.
“However, the number of active nesting beaches has dwindled from 13 to just seven. This alarming trend highlights the shrinking availability of viable habitats and the increasing pressures faced by sea turtle populations.
“It is precisely for this reason that the Love our Turtles 2025 campaign holds such great importance.
“This is not merely a public awareness program, it is a call to action, a rallying cry for collective responsibility,” Wong concluded.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Siew Chia En