First Terrapin Independence Day 2005

The First Terrapin Independence Day was held on the 31st of August 2005, also Malaysia’s Independence Day. The opening ceremony was hosted by a local elementary school, Sekolah Kebangsaan Mangkuk and was officiated by En. Wan Musa Wan Muda who represented the State Secretary, YB. Dato’ Haji Muhatar b. Abdullah. About 300 people took part in the event, including two busloads of Buddhists who had come all the way from Selangor. An exhibition on terrapins and other educational activities were also held for the schoolchildren. The pictures below provide a graphic account of the event that gave its participants the chance to hold and release river terrapins for the first time in their lives. A total of 150 one-year old river terrapins were released in the event.

Below are some news articles on the event. Just click to read.

Chan, Fong Peng, Pelf and Chong Leng, the team behind the event
A 2 day exhibition held in the school to create awareness
Arrival of buddhists from Selangor
A short welcoming speech for the participants
A song and dance to entertain the guests
Hampers for egg collectors, plaques for sponsors and prizes for the schoolkids
A plaque of appreciation for John Ho, leader of the buddhists
Prizes for the school kids
Hampers for the egg collectors who had sold eggs to the project
The egg collectors pledged to support the project
The whole school turned up for the event
A group of buddhists from Terengganu
Taking a look at the terrapins about to be released
Our MC Nurul who is now a TV3 presenter
Guest of honour En. Wan Musa releasing the first terrapin
Release by the school kids
Release by the buddhists
Chanting prayers for the safety of the terrapins
Release by the two oldest egg collectors. Pak Jusoh (right) has passed on.
Final photography session at the end of the event