The Penyu Shell-ter project showcases 70 concrete turtle sculptures, each remimagined by 51 Malaysian artists and public figures (Photo: YTL Cement)
For millions of years, sea turtles have crossed entire oceans with unerring instinct, returning to the same stretch of beach generation after generation. Yet today, warming seas, vanishing nesting grounds and plastic drifting through their feeding waters are testing these ancient navigators in ways they have never known. Extinction now looms over every conservation effort, turning millennia of endurance into a fragile balance of survival.
Amid the odds, those statistics are being rewritten at Tanjong Jara Resort on Peninsular Malaysia’s east coast. True to YTL Hotel’s belief that hospitality should tread thoughtfully, the resort has woven nature and environmental awareness into its guest experience by partnering with the non-profit Persatuan Pemuliharaan dan Kajian Marin Malaysia (Pulihara) to establish a long-running hatchery beside its Nelayan Restaurant. Through talks, guided nest inspections and the rare chance to witness hatchlings scurry towards the surf under the moonlight, visitors can gain a deeper appreciation of how delicate the cycle of life has become and how easily it can be undone. Since 2016, some 110,000 eggs have been safeguarded and 84,000 baby turtles have been released into the sea.
This year, that commitment has taken on a new and imaginative form through art. To mark the group’s 70th anniversary, YTL Cement — through its CSR arm, Builds — and YTL Hotels have launched the Penyu Shell-Ter, a campaign that fuses creativity with purpose. Endorsed by the National Art Gallery, it unites 51 Malaysian artists and public figures to paint 70 green sea turtle sculptures made with ECOCem, a sustainable, low-carbon building material engineered by YTL Cement’s construction development laboratory. The completed pieces will be exhibited and auctioned off to raise funds, with proceeds directed to the Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia (TCS) and Pulihara, organisations leading national endeavours in marine protection and habitat regeneration.
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“Community awareness and action are essential to that,” says Dr Chen Pelf Nyok, co-founder of TCS. “Penyu Shell-Ter not only raises critical funds for our programmes but also creates a public platform that brings these issues into everyday conversation. We are grateful to YTL Cement, the participating artists and the public for joining us in this shared mission.”
As eco-responsibility moves beyond policy and practice, so too does the way we communicate it. Rather than catastrophising and gazing passively into the future, healing the present can be done through meaningful and uplifting acts. “The project was first discussed during The Edge Malaysia Sustainable Symposium we hosted earlier, which brought together industry leaders to share the best practices in sustainability,” says YTL Cement executive director Rachel Yeoh.
“We’ve been very lucky to gather a diverse group of personalities — from graffiti expert Abdulrashade and figurative painter Bayu Utomo Radjikin to fashion designer Khoon Hooi and singer Datuk Sheila Majid — all of whom enthusiastically agreed to take part. Penyu Shell-Ter is an extension of the work we’ve been doing through Builds over the past few years and it is also a way of investing in Malaysia’s creative community. When I moved back [from the UK], I realised people aren’t always encouraged to question things or think outside the box. Imagination is requisite for change and making an impact. What better way to express that than through a cause devoted to conservation?”
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In the hands of these artists, the majestic creature of the sea becomes a vessel for storytelling. Bayu Utomo’s radiant red rendition captures the spirit of a lone voyager braving restless currents and transcending the familiar. Khoon Hooi’s Ocean’s Reverie draws inspiration from coral reefs and the geometry of shells, its carapace stitched with upcycled lace, brocade and beadwork that marry couture precision with innovation. Sheila Majid’s Mrs Jazzy Pants is inscribed with sheet music from her hit song Sinaran, a sketched keyboard at its base and starlit fins mirroring her signature flair. Some participants turned the activity into a family affair too — musician Zainal Abidin of Hijau fame, together with his daughter, layer the markings of the country’s endangered species — tiger, tapir, pangolin and hornbill — each annotated with its remaining numbers.
Yeoh’s iteration, Oceanarium Imaginarium, envisions a world where marine and botanical life coexist in harmony, eliciting optimism and wonder. Although the final outcome bursts with colour and contemplation, its making demanded remarkable attention, from crafting the 3D silicone moulds to perfecting the shell’s curvature to ensuring the ECOCem material set evenly. What appears lighthearted and playful was, in truth, grounded in technical rigour — an indication of the same care and perseverance this initiative seeks to celebrate.
“Every part of the turtle, from the markings on its head to the taper of its flippers, is incredibly intricate. The mould makers gave us only a very small opening to pour the concrete through, so the mix had to be fluid enough to reach every crevice. We’d then shake and tap the cast to release any trapped air. Once it was removed from the mould, we sanded down the surface and adjusted the tone of the material so it wouldn’t be too dark to paint on. It was a back-breaking process for the R&D team, who spent countless hours researching, testing and refining.”
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Beyond its artistry, Penyu Shell-Ter also stands as a timely reflection of YTL’s values, reaffirming the notion that progress holds little meaning without actual preservation. Yeoh sees this unique collaboration as a statement, a way of giving agency where once there was apathy.
“For months, we’ve been thinking about how to commemorate seven decades of the company. Although times are changing, at the end of the day, our message remains the same. We continue to move forward with integrity — building what’s right. Most people associate YTL with business only but there’s a human side that isn’t always visible. I hope this creative undertaking will motivate others to imagine more boldly in their own pursuits.”
From this month, the painted turtles will be on public display across selected YTL Hotels nationwide, with online bidding running concurrently ahead of a live auction on Nov 25. To extend its impact, YTL Cement will also contribute RM5,000 on behalf of every participating artist — a total of RM255,000 — to the charities of their choice, ensuring the initiative reaches a broader spectrum of social and environmental causes.
For more information and to view the full collection, visit penyushellter.ytlcement.com.
This article first appeared on Oct 20, 2025 in The Edge Malaysia.
