About Us

Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia

Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia (TCS) was founded out of necessity in 2011 because co-founders Drs. Chan Eng Heng and Chen Pelf Nyok realised that there wasn’t an organisation or agency in charge of the tortoises and freshwater turtles in the country, despite being home to 18 species of native species.

TCS is the first non-governmental and non-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation of freshwater turtles in Malaysia. The aim of the Society is to bring about the recovery of depleted wild populations of turtles, with particular reference to freshwater turtles, in Malaysia through partnerships with like-minded organisations, individuals and local communities as well as through its own programmes.

Our Vision

We strive to create the conditions for turtles to thrive under the care and protection of informed local communities, an educated and motivated public, dedicated NGOs and a concerned government.

Advisors

Tan Sri Dr. Salleh

Dr. Chan Eng Heng

Mohamed Shah Redza

Committee Members
2024 - 2026

Dr. Maketab Mohamed

President

Dr. Chen Pelf Nyok

Vice President

Nurul 'Ain Najwa

Secretary

Dr. Pakeeyaraj Nagalingam

Asst. Secretary

Hadifah Ruhaizi

Treasurer

Tan Sri Dr. Salleh

Committee Member

Mohamed Shah Redza

Committee Member

Bakhtiar Talhah

Committee Member

Erica Chang

Committee Member

Lim Puay Aun

Internal Auditor

Aminah Madi

Internal Auditor

Executive Director

Dr. Chen Pelf Nyok
Pelf is the co-founder and Executive Director of TCS. She is awarded the first Ph.D. in the field of non-marine turtles in Malaysia. Her research interests are the distribution, biology and ecology of freshwater turtles. She leads the community-based terrapin conservation project in Kg. Pasir Gajah, Kemaman, and was very recently awarded the Commonwealth Points of Light from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for her turtle conservation efforts. She is a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group (TFTSG).

Scientific Officer

Aminah bt. Madi
Aminah graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Zoology) degree from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) in 2022. She joined TCS as an intern before being offered her first job as a Scientific Officer. She is keen to learn and understand more about turtle conservation. She plans, conducts and assists in research projects, and collaborate with lecturers and students from universities. She is also dedicated to teach and advocate the young generation about the importance of freshwater turtles and how we can save them.

Terrapin Guardians

Our Terrapin Guardians are the backbone of the community-based terrapin conservation project in Kg.Pasir Gajah, Kemaman, Terengganu.

All of them used to collect and consume river terrapin eggs but they are now our trusted Terrapin Guardians. They work tirelessly during the terrapin nesting season to collect as many eggs as possible for incubation. The project also hires Wazel to raise the terrapin hatchlings in our TCS River Terrapin Conservation Centre.

Wazel

Dollah

Zul

Perik

Our Work