The campaign will culminate in the Turtle Release Ceremony on 14 September 2025 at Kerachut Beach, within Penang National Park, and will be graced by His Excellency Tun Dato’ Seri Ramli bin Ngah Talib, the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Pulau Pinang. His Excellency’s presence at this symbolic event underscores the importance of collective responsibility in marine conservation and reflects the state’s strong commitment to safeguarding biodiversity.
The official launch of the campaign will take place on Saturday, 16 August 2025, at Penang Town Hall, Georgetown, officiated by YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow, the Chief Minister of Penang.
The ceremony will gather government leaders, civil society, and community members in a shared call-to-action to protect the nation’s marine heritage.
Structured around three flagship programs, the campaign begins with the Love Our Turtles:
Exhibition, which will run from 15 to 31 August 2025 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 ESG frameworks are shaping new approaches to conservation. It will be followed by the International Sustainability Congress 2025 on 3 and 4 September at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), 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. The campaign will then conclude with the Turtle Release Ceremony on 14 September 2025, where invited guests will witness the release of turtle hatchlings into the sea at sunset. This powerful gesture, led by His Excellency the Governor of Penang, represents both hope and commitment to a better ecological future
Complementing these main events is a wide array of community-based pocket programs that will run concurrently throughout the campaign. These include beach clean-ups, mural projects, AI 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.
“This campaign is not merely a series of events it is a national movement of conscience and care,” said YBhg. Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Jailani bin Muhamed Yunus, Founder of the IKHTIAR Foundation. “By harnessing the power of education, community, and innovation, we are sending a clear message: the time to protect our turtles and our planet is now.” The “Love Our Turtles” campaign is aligned with Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025, themed “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” and positions Penang as a regional model for conservation, eco-tourism, and ESG-driven development.
Tags: YBhg. Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Jailani bin Muhamed Yunus, KHTIAR Foundation, Love Our Turtles, International Sustainability Congress 2025
