Exercise 1 : Research Teoh Yu Chen 0138594

 Interview With the Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia

Part 1-NGO's Introduction

Me: Who founded the Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia?

T: Dr. Chan Eng Heng and Chen Pelf Nyok -Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia (n.d.)

Me: Why did you start your NGO?

T: We started Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia because we realised that there was no freshwater turtle conservation charity in Malaysia at the time.

Me: When did you start?

T: 2011

Me: Why did Malaysia need a specialty NGO for its turtles when there are NGOs such as the WWF or the Turtle foundation?

T: Our charity allowed for a more tailored approach to the unique challenges that arise in Malaysia that international organisations may not be suited to tackle. Especially since there where organisations dedicated to freshwater turtles.

 

Part 2- Evolution Journey

Me: For example?

T: We were able to address cultural reasons for Chelonia hunting in Malaysia due to our nature as a local organisation allowing us to discourage their consumption/

Me: Chelonia?

T: Chelonia, the scientific name for turtles, tortoises and terrapins but colloquially we refer to all of them as turtles.

Me: Why did you choose to help non “turtle” turtles?

T: We recognised that efforts to help one group would help them all collectively which allowed for a pooling of resources to better help them all.

Me: Where did you first start your efforts?

T: We were founded and are still based in Terengganu though we have expanded our efforts across the country through local centres.

Me: Why Terengganu in particular?

T: Terengganu is strategically located where many freshwater turtles live. Home to many rivers and natural habitats This provides an ideal location for our hatcheries

Part 3-Core Cause and SDG/Mission and vision

Me:  What is your NGO’s core cause?

T: Our organisations’ main cause since inception is to help reverse the decline of turtle populations across Malaysia.

Me: How do you plan to achieve these goals?

T: We tackle the problem of turtle conservation using 4 methods: conservation, research, education, and outreach following the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a guide.

Me: What SDGs does you organisation partake in?

T: We currently are focusing on SDGs 4,5,8,15 and 17.- Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia (n.d.)

Me: How does 4,5 and 8 help turtles?

T: Starting with 4, quality education is key to our mission. Our turtle awareness camps aka turtle camps help teach locals about turtles and raises awareness about our cause. This results in more local action in tackling issues that affect turtles such as plastic pollution (SDG 15) and advocacy for habitat protection for our terrestrial terrapins and tortoises. - Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia (n.d.)

Me: What about 5?

T: SDG 5 gender equality is linked to our SDG 8 decent work and economic growth. Many communities near turtles are in poor economic conditions with low opportunities. Women are especially at risk due to lack of job opportunities. So, we have partnered with online and retail locations to sell turtle themed batik products. We employ local women to sew and design products that we sell on their behalf. This provides them with an income and incentive to protect local turtles whilst preserving Malaysia’s local batik traditions. - Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia (n.d.)

Me: How has this program impacted turtles?

T: The alternative source of income has allowed locals to switch away from hunting turtles for their shells and lowered the trade of turtle products. This program has given locals an economic incentive to help protect the turtles in tandem with us. We provide equipment, materials and even wages providing them with a stable income and skills.

Me: You also mentioned SDG 17 partnership for the goals?

T: Yes, we have partnered with dozens of NGOs, universities, schools, companies and more to help us achieve our mission and vision.

Me: Any especially notable partners?

T:  The turtle conservation fund and WWF have been close partners, and we have collaborated in conservation efforts on numerous occasions. We also have good relationships with the government of Malaysia and the Commonwealth of nations. Our organisation and its members have been given rewards such as the points of life or a Datukship for our efforts. We work closely with these organisations to better achieve our aims to protect and conserve depleted populations of endangered turtles in Malaysia through partnerships and collaborations.

Part 4- SWOT Analysis

Me: What do you believe are your strengths?

T: Our community grassroots based conservation has allowed us to help both locals and turtles in tandem. This creates a sustainable future for our turtles without the need for continual investment.

Me: What about any weaknesses?

T: As a non-profit we rely on donations and grants to fund our conservation efforts and research. This means we need to devote time and resources to fund raising to continue our work.

Me: What opportunities have you found?

T: The growing awareness by the public has resulted in us growing in in both size and funding. This allows us to open more hatcheries and expand the number of chipped turtles under observation. We have plans to open more hatcheries and conduct more research with partners.

Me: What threats do you have to face?

T: Climate change has caused further habitat loss for our turtles. This has resulted in more resources being devoted to habitat preservation. Increasing temperatures also effect the hatching of turtles and their development.

Part 5- Latest creative campaigns

Me: Are there any campaigns that you would like to talk about?

T: Since our inception until now we have the Kemaman River Terrapin Conservation Project. This project has us saving terrapin eggs from human consumption, hatching them and releasing them safely into the wild. This has resulted in over 5 thousand critically endangered terrapins being released and over 10 thousand eggs being saved.

Me: Any for outreach?

T: We have a junior scientist program that hosts an interactive session for children to learn more about our efforts. Sessions teach children the steps in conservation and how they can help at home. We host in our centres and also at schools and other institutions at a small fee. Our turtle trips also allow people of all ages to have a first look into the challenges our turtles face and our research.

Me: What types research have you conducted recently?

T: We have conducted research into population numbers of turtles across Malaysia atr regular intervals. We also conducted research into the habitats of local species. For example, we have partnered with the Pahang Wildlife and National Parks Department and discovered that an endangered species of terrapin was found in Pahang. Our research helps us to identify where to focus our efforts and inform local authorities where to set up preservation zones. - Choong, M. Y. (2025, March 23). Rare find, a reason to shell-ebrate. The Star. https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/03/23/rare-find-a-reason-to-shell-ebrate

Part 6- Individual reflection

Me: How have former and current members of your organisation benefited from volunteering in your organisation?

T: Our partnership with many local universities has resulted in our intership program being widely recognised. Many former volunteers have had careers in marine sciences and activism. Their time in our organisation has given them experience in dealing with wildlife and also in interacting with large organisations.

Me: You deal with many endangered animals and money from donations. How do you hold yourselves accountable?

T: We have a rotating committee of members that are chosen every 2 years. We also have a board of advisors that are consulted on decisions. We have full transparency with our efforts and even our founders do not have complete control especially after they retired from the board. - Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia (n.d.)

 

In text citation

Due to the nature of the text assume all answers have this (- Choong, M. Y. (2025, March 23). Rare find, a reason to shell-ebrate. The Star. https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/03/23/rare-find-a-reason-to-shell-ebrate) as their citation

1.Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved from https://www.turtleconservationsociety.org.my/

 

2.Choong, M. Y. (2025, March 23). Rare find, a reason to shell-ebrate. The Star. https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/03/23/rare-find-a-reason-to-shell-ebrate

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary

The Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia is a non-profit NGO founded in 2011 by Dr. Chan Eng Heng and Chen Pelf Nyok to reverse the decline of Malaysia’s turtle population. Since 2011 they rapidly expanded their reach from Terengganu to across the country, through new facilities and increases in media presence. Following the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, they aim to help turtles from grassroots efforts such as economic development as well as traditional research and conservation. This NGO is open with their information with many materials readily available on their website and social media.