To mark YTL Group’s 70th anniversary, YTL Cement, through its CSR arm BUILDS, has launched The Penyu Shell-Ter Project – an art-meets-conservation initiative that unites 51 Malaysian artists and public figures to transform 70 handcrafted turtle sculptures into symbols of environmental hope.
The project celebrates Malaysia’s rich creative talent while raising funds and awareness for turtle conservation. With the support of YTL Hotels as venue sponsor, The Penyu Shell-Ter Project stands as a meaningful public platform that merges art, sustainability, and civic engagement.
“As we celebrate 70 years of the YTL Group, we are contemplating the meaning of legacy. As much as we are thinking about decades past, we are mindful of the future that we want to live in and the biodiversity that is integral to it. This project is rooted in our values and aims to support local talent whilst raising funds and awareness for environmental conservation and endemic turtle species,” said YTL Cement Executive Director Rachel Yeoh.
At its heart, The Penyu Shell-Ter Project also shines a spotlight on Malaysian creativity. BUILDS, YTL Cement’s CSR platform, focuses on three pillars – Community, Sustainability, and Potential – with this initiative anchored under the Potential pillar, which champions emerging and established creative talent. Through the support of the National Art Gallery and local galleries, the project brings together Malaysia’s diverse artistic voices — from local artists to designers and public figures — each reimagining a turtle sculpture as a canvas for creativity and conservation.
The project involves the work of Malaysian artists across a wide range of practices, putting paint—and some, even clay—to interpret these concrete turtle sculptures. Every sculpture is made using ECOCem®, a sustainable, low-carbon building material engineered by YTL Cement’s own Construction Development Laboratory. Although cement is often associated with construction, YTL Cement is demonstrating how the materials that are building Malaysia’s future and defining its landscape can also be used to protect the environment and preserve cultural heritage.
Rachel Yeoh
The Penyu Shell-Ter Project is an extension of our mission at BUILDS, our dedicated CSR arm. We believe in investing in environmental sustainability and communities, and supporting emerging talent across all aspects of industry. Each sculpture is rooted in these values and promises to bring awareness and artistry to turtle conservation, sparking critical conversations and making an impact on the lives and livelihoods of endangered species.
The artists
There are a total of 51 artists lending their touch to the concrete turtle sculptures. Dato’ Sri Siti Nurhaliza, Khoon Hooi, Dato’ Sheila Majid, and Datuk Nicol David are some of the public figures participating in the project, while local fine artists include Hisyamuddin Abdullah, Syukur Rani, Chok Yue Zan, Tengku Marina Ibrahim, Bayu Utomo, Beatrice Oh, M. Sahzy, Hisyamuddin Abdullah, Cloakwork, Wan Jamila, Abdel Moaiz Cholan, Ng Qiu Yan, and more.
Heading over to the website, you can see all 70 painted concrete turtle sculptures in their full glory, with the artist’s description under each one of them. You will also notice that there are currently active bids for each turtle. All 70 turtle sculptures are available for online bidding from 15 October to 27 November 2025. For 20 selected sculptures, their online bidding will end on 23 November and will then continue their bidding onsite during the charity auction dinner on 25 November, where they will be sold to the highest bidder. Anyone can bid for a turtle of their choice—including you.
Proceeds from the auction will support the Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia (TCS) and PULIHARA. Both organisations are local leaders in turtle conservation and habitat regeneration. In addition to the auction’s proceeds, YTL Cement will be donating an additional RM5,000 on behalf of each artist—totalling RM255,000—to a charity of their choice.
View the full list of sculptures and bid for your own turtle at penyushellter.ytlcement.com. You might get a chance to own a piece of Malaysian art for a good cause.
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