Terengganu: The Terengganu government, in collaboration with the State Fisheries Department, is investigating a video showing tourists harassing a turtle while snorkelling off Pulau Redang. State Tourism, Culture, Environment and Climate Change Committee chairman Datuk Razali Idris stated that the Fisheries Department is examining every video clip posted on social media to identify the account owner for further action.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the state government was informed that the Terengganu Fisheries Department had received a report on the incident from the public. The department is going through every video posted on social media for further action. Razali emphasized that the state government views the irresponsible actions of a few tourists very seriously, as they not only harassed but also tried to harm the turtle.

He further mentioned that the Terengganu government would take proactive measures, including introducing a snorkelling guide licence, to ensure compliance with all rules and guidelines. Razali expressed concerns over current snorkelling guides' unclear understanding of ethics, including what is permitted and what is not during the activity.

Razali warned that such actions violate the rules and could cause the turtles to avoid coming to Pulau Redang in the future. He noted that the extinction of turtles would not only affect Terengganu's tourism industry but also deprive future generations of the chance to see these animals.

The incident came to light after a 27-second video went viral, showing a group of tourists holding and harassing a turtle believed to be on Pulau Redang during a snorkelling activity.