MEKAR is an organisation established since 9 August 2005. An agreement has been reached to establish a non-governmental organization (NGO) that consist of local community (CBO) in the Kertih, Kemasik and Paka districts with the collabration of WWF Malaysia. They has support from Terengganu State Fisheries Departmentact and WWF Malaysia act as technical advisor to MEKAR. This organization aimed to provide awareness and conservation of turtles. Terengganu State has a coastline of about 225 kilometers from Besut to Kemaman, which became the landing site of four species of turtle such as Leartherback turtles, Olive Ridley turtles, Green turtles and Hawksbill turtles.

MEKAR has over 500 registered members that consist of fishermen, housewives, teachers, government employees, and business people.