The groundbreaking ceremony for the River Terrapin Conservation Centre was officiated by Dato’ Rozi bin Mamat, Chairman of the Central Terengganu Development Authority (KETENGAH), at the Dewan Orang Ramai (DORA) in Kampung Pasir Gajah, Kemaman, Terengganu.

Also in attendance were members of KETENGAH’s senior management, led by Tengku Ahmad Nadzri bin Tengku Musa, General Manager of KETENGAH; Mohd Khusyaril bin Samsudin, District Officer of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN) for Kemaman; Dr Chen Pelf Nyok, Co-Founder and Director of TCS, representing the President of the Malaysian Terrapin Association; heads of departments and agencies in Kemaman District; members of the JPKKP committee; and the local community of Kampung Pasir Gajah.

The ceremony symbolically marked the commencement of construction works for the River Terrapin Conservation Centre by KETENGAH, which will replace the existing facility currently operating in temporary premises at DORA. The project, valued at RM255,200, entails the development of a more comfortable, secure, and visitor-friendly building. The new centre will feature a gallery, briefing room, incubation and hatching ponds, a sales kiosk for handicraft products by the Women’s Community, a research and treatment laboratory, shared restroom facilities, and office space. The development is funded under the Integrated Village Economic Development Project Programme (PROSPEK) for Kemaman District.

The event also included the presentation of food basket contributions to 26 local asnaf recipients, sales activities by PROSPEK entrepreneurs from the Women’s Community, a briefing and visit to the temporary terrapin conservation gallery, congregational Zohor prayers, as well as special prayers and tahlil. The ceremony concluded with a luncheon attended by nearly 300 invited guests.