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The hanging moon is above the sea. On this small island, the sound of the waves regularly breaks the silence. In the clear sky, the stars are appearing. I am longing for something but I can not say. A strange longing happens when living in isolation on the middle of the open seawhile looking at the running waves towards the edge of the beach. The reflection of the tiny lights from the fisherman boats are sparkling like firefly. Nights is getting colder, but they are still busy with their net hoping that the fish have gone into the trap which have been casted since the day time. The night is in the late hour. The birds have been sleeping soundly in their nest. Pulau Jemur at where I am standing right now is getting smaller. A female green turtle in scientific name called Chelonia mydas is moving very slowly out from sea water. She is looking around to make sure the beach is empty and no other creatures except herself at the end of night. After she feels safe and free from the waves, the female turtle slowly digs up the hole. She is lying eggs at that night. Slightly different with other egg layer animals, to lay the eggs the turtle will wait until the situation is completely quiet. Although she has a great passion for laying eggs, but if any disturbance from animal or human being she will delay it and back to the sea. But when lying eggs is under process she does not care about the surroundings. She keep lying eggs until finish. Very unique isn’t it? After she find good timing and good location, the female turtle put its body into the sands. One green turtle is able to lay 100 until 150 eggs. Not all of the eggs hatch. From one hundred eggs not more than 7 baby turtles could reach the sea safely. The nature is the key factor whether the eggs could hatch or not. I along with other participants Kemah Wartawan Indonesia in Rokan Hilir Riau are trying to learn this process with amazement. Soon after her job done, the female turtle will make many holes which are similar in size and form to the first hole for camouflage to prevent the eegs taken away by any predator. Very smart. The male turtle sometimes helps to find the safe location for female turtle to lay eggs. Mostly this job is done by female itself. Pulau Jemur administratively is a part of territory of Rokan Hilir Regency, Riau. In the past time, Pulau Jemur claimed by North Sumatera and Riau, at last Riau took advantage to posses this beautiful island. Besides its beautiful panorama, this island becomes a natural breeding for green turtle. To prevent this species from extinction a Navy Post (Posal) Lanal Dumai in cooperation with Regional Government of Rokan Hilir, Riau has established the turtle conservation project. All the turtle’s eggs are kept in a special room for hatching. Usually, after the turtle laying its eggs, the officials take the eggs carefully and put them into the pail which has been filled up with the hot sands. Then they are brought into hatchery room. In the hatchery, all eggs were laid like the shape of pyramid, and every layer filled with the sand for hatched turtle egg easily moves out if not the hatchling will die of squeezing one to another. The hatchling or tukik then are released into available pool by official. The turles stay there until the age of 6 or 9 months. At this age, they are strong enough to be sent back in their natural habitat, the sea. There they become a part of the ecosystem. The turtle predator are seahawk, big fishes, and other sea creatures. Here the turtle could live 15 until 20 years of age. Usually April until June are the season for the turtle to lay eggs. But all along the year there is turtle still laying its eggs. Every year the officers who work for the turtle breeding succeeds to hatch about 1.000 eggs. But not all of tukik (hatchlings) could survive until the old age. Hunting for turtle by irresponsible persons is very often, as a result the quantity of turtles are declining. I am very pleased to look at the tiny tukik. They play actively around the pool. Its face is so cute and heart touching. In my mind, how come there are still many of us have the heart to kill this rare species. As a tourist object, the turtle breeding in Pulau Jemur is expected to become an ecotourism attraction. Not only eggs and the baby turtle to be seen there, but also the mature turtle laying its eggs at night. To see the procees, you must not sleep the whole night, no sound, no light, not even a whisper. There must be in total silence and darkness, and be patient until the turtle begin laying its eggs. The rest of the time you can enjoy the nature wonder in relaxation. Save them fom extinction The green turtle’s egg has the soft skin like a squeezed pingpong ball. The raw egg is unbreakable when you drop it to the floor from the height of 30 centimeters. Unfortunately, the eggs are sold freely in the market. At Jalan Jenderal Sudirman Medan, for instance, the people sells the eggs with various price, one egg can reach Rp 4,000. Such situation could be found all over the provincial towns in Sumatera. The turtle’s egg is considered of having medical restorative power for health. It is believed to help cure some kinds of illness. In Bali, every four months 9,000 turtles are caught for the human needs like its shell, flesh and eggs. The same situation also happens in China, Mexico and other tropical Latin countries. The green turtle is categorized as a herbivorous animal, but occasionally eats little creatures. People is interested in the turtle’s shell for souvenir, and the tasty flesh is made for satay and consumed for and beauty ingredients. Although the government regulation Number 7 of 1999 concerning the conservation of flora and fauna to protect all turtle species has been issued, but the hunting of this slow motion animal is still going on. In different town and country, the green turtle has different name. In Malaysia, for example, it was called agar turtle. Other places call it pulau turtle, because she likes to lay eggs in the island. The green turtle has spinal cord (Phylum chordate) and spinal column (Subphylumvertebrata), class Reptilia, order Testudines, suborder Crypyodiara, superfamily Cheloniidae, family Cheloniidae, from Chelonia mydas species. The green turtle prefers the sandy beaches which is dark and quiet for its regeneration. In south west of Hawai island the green turtle is very unique. Sometimes the turtle come to the beach at day time for basking in the sunshine. In this planet, the green turtle is one of 7 turtle species. They are green turtle (Chelonian mydas), sisik turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), kemp’s ridley turtle (Lepidochelys kempi) lekang turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), belimbing turtle (Demochelys coriacea), pipih turtle (Natator depressus) and tempayan turtle (Caretta caretta). In Sumatera, the green turtle is found over the island located at Malacca strait and the islands in westcoast of Sumatera. The turtle could grow up 90 until 110 centimeters long and can reach weight 110 until 180 kilograms. The green turtle used to live in the tropical sea and come back to the beach only for laying eggs to hatch. They lay eggs every 3 or 4 years at their mature age. The green turtle is in great danger because the cycle of laying eggs takes a long periode and human needs for eggs to be consumed is still high. The turtle wanders in the water for a long time. They use a couple of front legs(flippers) for rowing. Although they wander in the sea for years, this vertebrate animal have to rise to the surface of the water for taking breath because they use lung for breath. Generally the turtle migrates very far away. They can reach 3.000 kilometers only in 58-73 days. Since its population is near to extinction, many countries issuing special regulation in turtle consumption. In 1978 this reptilian animal has been reportedly nearing to extinction in USA. According to data from scientist, the turtle has been in existence since the end of Jurasic age (145 – 208 million years ago) or similar age to dinosaurus. History, Dispute and Isolation From historical point of view, the green turtle in Pulau Jemur is different with other turtles. The turtle here has a strong historical link to the Kingdom of Malay. Since along ago, apparently the eggs of the turtle have played an important factor in strengthening the relationship among the rulers. The ruler of Pulau Jemur for instance would be accepted by the powerful kingdom only when they bring a lot of eggs as a compulsory gift. This is the tale among the the waves of Malacca strait which is sometimes unbearable due to the weather. This is the tale of the green turtle that lives in the nature where the soft wind blows and the golden sand which is lying along the beach. Pulau Jemur and the legend of the ancestor begins with the history that could not be finished in a night to tell. The story tells about the origin of the Pulau Jemur ownership. In the former times, the hostility among the Malay Sultans who controlled almost the whole territory of Sumatera Island like Sultan Panai, Sultan Siak and Sultan Kualuh always occurred. In a book “Sejarah Penguasaan Pulau Jemur” (History of the Ownership of Pulau Jemur) by Tabrani, explained that the competition was made to decide the ownership’s right of the island. Each Sultan was requested to float away a symbol of his own territory. The first symbol which reached Pulau Jemur earlier would be the owner of Pulau Jemur. At those time, the symbol belonged to Sultan Siak arrived earlier, while the symbol of Sultan Panai arrived in Pulau Berhala, and the symbol of Sultan Kualuh disappeared in the sea. Pulau Jemur was owned by Sultan Siak as a result.Due to lack of attention to this island, then the pirates took control over this island. But Datuk Tenolok, a noble man from Goa Kingdom of Celebes, took it back. Datuk Tenolok asked Pulau Jemur to be his own control from Sultan Siak. Datuk Tenolok ambition was fulfilled by Sultan Siak with the requirement that annually Datuk Tenolok must give one thousand turtle eggs and a catty of bird’s nest to the Sultan. The request of the Sultan was agreed by Datuk Tenolok. Datuk Tenolok married to Acehness woman who gave him three children. There were two boys named Muhammad Amin and Adam, and daughter named Cahaya. After Datuk tenolok died, Pulau Jemur is under the rule of his second son, Datuk Adam, while Datuk Amin became the chief of Kampung Pasir Limau Kapas. Datuk Adam stayed in Perak for along time. As consequence, then Datuk Jaya Bakak, the chief of Datuk Negeri Kubu, took it unfairly. He told Sultan Siak that Datuk Adam had neglected Pulau Jemur. Then Datuk Jaya Bakak drove all Datuk Adam followers out of Pulau Jemur. Not long after Pulau Jemur under the the rule of Datuk Jaya Bakak, a chief of warrior from Malay land was called as Panglima Laya came and took control over the island after defeating Datuk Jaya Bakak and sending all the followers out. The legend of Panglima Jaya was widely known, for he had super natural power. He was not easily qonquered by the enemy. He was a fierce and mercilessly killed his opponent. During his stay in Pulau Jemur he and his follower liked to consume the turle’s eggs for the needs of protein. He never submitted a gift to any ruler, including Raja Malaysia who had delegated him to the island. It was said that Panglima Laya had an odd habit. He likes crowing like a cock. All the guest came to his place must cackle like a hen in order to be safe. Under his power the wealth of Pulau Jemur had been used for his personal interest. When Panglima Laya was still in power, Pulau Jemur was independent from Kingdom of Siak. To return Pulau Jemur to Kingdom of Siak, at last Sultan Jaya Bakak asking for a help from Datuk Muhammad Amin and Datuk Adam. Though he had been disappointed by Datuk Jaya Bakak for his former deed to take over Pulau Jemur from his brother Datuk Adam, but Datuk Amin was willingly gave a help. The fighting occured between Datuk Amin and Panglima Laya, finally won by Datuk Amin of Datuk Tenolok descendant. Pulau Jemur gave back to Datuk Jaya Bakak. Then he appointed Orang Kaya Bosi and his follower to take care of the island. The time had come for Datuk Amin to be back. He drove out Orang Kaya Bosi from Pulau Jemur. Not satisfied with Datuk Adam, Orang Kaya Bosi complained to Datuk Jaya Bakak, together they came to Sultan Siak for a complaint. Then Sultan Siak invited Datuk Adam to his palace, but he neglected it for Sultan Siak always sided with Datuk Jaya Bakak. For his rejection, Sultan Siak asking the Dutch Controleur which was occupying Bagan Siapiapi to arrest Datuk Adam. The Siak policemen lead by Kopas Abdul Jalil who still related to Datuk Adam arrested him. No resistance from Datuk Adam because he had a blood relationship with Kopas Abdul Jalil. He was put into trial in Siak. The court gave him a sentence of deportation to Batavia for his negligence of kingdom order. After Datuk Adam deportation was over, Datuk Amin came to Pemangku Sultan for a request. He requested that Pulau Jemur was still submitted to Datuk Tenolok descendant. His request was approved to authorize Pulau Jemur, but he must pay ten thousands turtle’s eggs, one thousand ringgit, plus four hundreds ringgit tax and a half catty of bird’s nest. The deal between Datuk Tenolok descendant and Siak Kingdom based on letter of agreement which were signed by Pemangku Sultan, Tengku Besar Sayyid Sagaf and Datuk Lima Puluh. The content of deal declared that the holder of Pulau Jemur concession were Datuk Amin and Datuk Adam. This agreement was held in 1912. After both Datuk died, the authority of Pulau Jemur was carried out by their descendant. Geographically, Pulau Jemur is close to Malaysia our neighbouring country. It is just 45 miles away from Port Klang, while from Bagan Siapiapi, the capital of Rokan Hililr Regency is about 50 miles. . Pulau Jemur is inside cluster of Arua Islands together with other nine islands which are also very exotic like Pulau Labuhan Bilik, Tekong Mas, Batu Berlayar, Sarang Elang Pertandang. Pulau Batu Mandi. Pulau Batu Mandi is the outer territory of the islands that is why the light house was built on this island as a land mark of the country border. Heritage Not only about turtle and history, Pulau Jemur also keeps the heritage from the Dutch and Japanese time. The light house in Batu Mandi was built in 1917, its location exactly on top of Bukit Jelanun. This light house was built for the safety of ships sailing on Malacca strait, moreover many ships were drowned by the corals which were found there. There is Japanese fortress for defence. Many young people from the surrounding area were forced as romusha to build the fortress. Most of them killed and the dead body of the peole were buried in one hole which is now called as Perigi Tulang (well of skeleton). Purportedly if the lime water is put into the well, a scream of human like being tortured could be heard. Apart from it, there is a footprint of human being on top of the coral stone. The legend told that it was the footprint of Panglima Laya who was violent and powerful. Due to many tourism places in Pulau Jemur are marketable, the Regional Government of Rokan Hilir is seriously building the potential area for tourist destination. The authority have a target, in 2008 Pulau Jemur will become as an attractive place for domestic and international tourist, especially from neighbouring country, Malaysia. Pulau jemur the sea surrounds Looks beautiful like lake paradise Pulau Jemur the sea surrounds Become inspiration of everyone