The Penyu Shell-Ter Project Brings Art and Conservation to Life at Tanjong Jara Resort

YTL Cement, through its CSR arm BUILDS, hosted a media visit to Tanjong Jara Resort for an exclusive preview of The Penyu Shell-Ter Project - an art-meets-conservation initiative launched as part of YTL Group’s 70th anniversary celebrations.

The Penyu Shell-Ter Project brings together 51 Malaysian artists and public figures to reimagine 70 handcrafted turtle sculptures, each made with ECOCem™, YTL Cement’s low-carbon cement, and painted to reflect the artists’ personal stories of conservation and creativity. With the endorsement of the National Art Gallery and the support of YTL Hotels as venue sponsor, the project raises funds for the Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia (TCS) and PULIHARA, both dedicated to protecting Malaysia’s endangered sea turtles.

The two-day media visit welcomed representatives from 10 media titles, who were among the first to experience the story behind this meaningful collaboration – one that unites YTL Cement, YTL Hotels, and Malaysia’s creative community to inspire public action for conservation.

Media guests were welcomed with a traditional Kompang performance, followed by opening remarks from Ong Ping Ping, Director of Communications at YTL Cement, who introduced the project and its purpose within the context of YTL Group’s 70th anniversary celebrations.

The evening continued with speeches by Yeoh Pei Xien, Vice President, Strategy & Transformation of YTL Hotels & Properties, and Rachel Yeoh, Executive Director of YTL Cement, who shared the inspiration behind the project and its alignment with the Potential Pillar of BUILDS.

Guests also toured the PULIHARA turtle hatchery, guided by Rahayu Zulkifli, CEO of PULIHARA, and Dr Chen Pelf Nyok, Co-founder and Vice President of TCS, the project’s NGO partners and beneficiaries.

The evening concluded with a coastal dinner at Nelayan Restaurant, curated by Chef Mo, Group Executive Chef and MasterChef UK: The Professionals finalist, followed by a bonfire by the beach, a fitting close to a day celebrating Malaysia’s coastal heritage and conservation efforts.

The next morning, media participants engaged in one-on-one interviews with Rachel Yeoh, Yeoh Pei Xien, Justin Juhun, Director of Conservation and Resident Naturalist, YTL Hotels, and Scott Mayback, Resident Marine Biologist, YTL Hotels.

Several participating artists also shared their creative inspirations and hopes for Malaysia’s turtle conservation efforts, with some present during the trip to personally introduce their sculptures and engage in media interviews.

The Penyu Shell-Ter website, which went live on 30 September 2025, showcases the full collection of turtle sculptures alongside artist profiles and stories. Visit the website at penyushellter.ytlcement.com to explore the artworks and learn more about the individuals behind these meaningful creations.

The media visit served as a platform for meaningful dialogue, showcasing how creativity, sustainability, and collaboration can come together to create impact and inspire change.