Nazrin is a young, driven entrepreneur with 5 years of experience in the corporate and start-up world. Having specialised in digital solutions, he is a former founding team member of Boost e-wallet, a successful e-wallet provider in Malaysia.
During his tenure in Boost Malaysia under Axiata Group Berhad, he managed partnerships within Malaysian Ministries, GLCs and Universities. Nazrin’s partnership skill has scaled him to be offered a position in the multinational company (“MNC”), ADA Indonesia based in Jakarta. He managed millions USD worth of digital investment by large conglomerates such as British American Tobacco and Toyota.
Since young, Nazrin’s spirit in entrepreneurship has made him start an organisation based in London, United Kingdom for young entrepreneurs named, Young Asean Minds, with Tan Sri Tony Fernandes as its Patron.
Nazrin graduated with Honours in Politics and International Relations from University of Kent, United Kingdom. He was also awarded as the finalist for University of Kent Entrepreneur of Year 2017.
It gives us great pleasure to welcome you to Durian Capital. Here you will find a comprehensive sharing of our company, reflecting the pride our employees take in our ongoing growth. It also conveys our sense of mission and vision—to become the world leader in durian plantation management.
Established in 2021, Durian Capital seeks to encourage many to leverage on the lucrative potential of agriculture, particularly in Malaysia’s own Musang King Durian. Today, Durian Capital is equipping ourselves to take advantage of the latest wave of change, which is why we are proud to work with Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia to offer Malaysia’s 1st Licensed Durian Investment Scheme under their Interest Scheme Act 2016. This aims at aligning us ever more closely to the needs and requirements of many Malaysians today, especially in securing financial protection for their futures. A growing, more challenging world needs a more accessible option for investment, while at the same time meeting rigid financial standards to ensure investor protection. In these and many other ways, we hope our Durian Capital Investment Scheme will spur the growth and advancement of Malaysia’s financial—and agriculture—sector.
Here, you will also discover our commitment to our employees and our investors; how we sustain our plantation; our pioneering technology and innovation that builds a better future; the high-quality products we utilise at our plantation; and, the financial return we offer our investors. As you browse through this website, you will get a sense of the passion, expertise, reliability, and innovative nature that our employees, both on-ground and in-office, bring to our mission.
A world renowned center of learning and research that is 1 of 5 designated Research University in Malaysia.
Fildzah has worn multiple hats in running a tech start-up by weekdays, tutoring by weekends and managing a not-for-profit campaign any time she squeezes in between. Previously leading the business and marketing operations of a fashion tech start-up, Ombré, Fildzah is drawn towards building a business from ground-zero and taking charge of brand voice and story upon launch.
Throughout the first lockdown in 2020, Fildzah had also co-founded Untuk Kita Malaysia. Within 2 weeks, Fildzah managed to spur this idea into a 5-figure USD social media fundraising initiative through Untuk Kita (@for.kita on Instagram) which is Malay for For Us.
After having spent her schooling years and completed her studies in Switzerland, Fildzah returned to Malaysia and has since taken on the daunting first career of business lead in a start-up. She was one of Ombré’s early business employees and has grown the business to work with over 130 fashion retailers across the United States and Canada in its first year of launch.
Ram currently serves as the Director of Lotus Coconut Plantation (LCP) with plans to develop the first fully-integrated vertical supply chain stack for coconuts in Malaysia. The key components of LCP will encompass a Centre of Excellence for Coconut R&D, a Technology and Data Centre, Procurement of organic and sustainable farming inputs, a Planting incentive scheme and a Centralised virgin coconut oil (VCO) and coconut water processing facility, among others.
Ram previously co-founded a biotechnology-focused startup in London called MultusMedia that aimed to produce a novel low-cost, serum-free and food-grade culture media to aid the cellular agriculture (lab-grown/clean meat) industry. Ram co-conducted the component studies of growth factor production — enhancing protein stability using an in-house modular and high-throughput automated platform. Additionally, he helped develop key operational initiatives, oversaw legal due diligence, accounting and partnerships as well. Notable awards (all in 2020): 1) Winner of the McKinsey Venture Academy, 2) National Champion and Global Top-16 Finalist in the Climate KIC Climate Launchpad competition by the European Insitute of Innovation and Technology, and 3) Regional final winner and Global finalist of the Hult Prize Foundation.
Following this, Ram had a stint at 500 Durians (Southeast Asian division of US Venture Capital firm, 500 Startups) where he was involved in the Investments Team, as well as aiding a few projects under Capital Formation. Notable projects include: 1) Co-developing the entire Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) policy and framework for 500 Durians, 2) Preparation of a RFP for the National Penjana Fund, and 3) Proposal for the development of a Centre of Excellence (COE), in collaboration with ministries and agencies like MDEC, MIDA and MOSTI.
Ram graduated with a Distinction in a Master of Science (MSc) in Genetics, Drug Development and Stem Cell Research from Imperial College London, and was seconded to the prestigious Francis Crick Institute in Kings Cross, London where he developed a novel algorithm to quantify the spatial localisation and distribution of cells and proteins in the tissue. Prior to that, Ram obtained First Class Honours in his Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Biotechnology from the University of Manchester.
Dato’ Thai Teck Seng has more than 20 years experience immersed in the Construction industry.
He is the founding director of Wasreno Group that holds a high repute in the construction industry. Under Dato’ Thai’s leadership, the company had attained 3 Stars CIDB (Construction Industry Development Board) rating and numerous prestigious awards such as GOLDEN EAGLE AWARD – Malaysia’s 100 for year 2016 and 2017, SIN CHEW BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2017 and THE ONE AWARD for Outstanding National Entrepreneurs. He is now leading constructing and renovating projects for private housing, government and commercial buildings.
Dato’ Thai has a passion for agro technology and infrastructure and he currently manages a family owned Durian plantation in Mantin, Negeri Sembilan.
As of 2015 Dato’ Thai was appointed Special Advisor of Thamarai Holdings Sdn Bhd with a focus on development of first class agriculture infrastructure for Thamarai Estate’s 3,000 acres farm.
Thamarai Estate is the first rubber estate under Lotus Plantation initially comprising 3,000 acres of rubber trees. In 2017, the company decided to convert this rubber estate into an integrated farming project. Replanting has since taken place here with a variety of crops being planted in stages. Thamarai Estate is fully equipped with a drip irrigation watering system throughout the estate and planting work is set to be completed by the year 2021.
A subsidiary of Lotus Group, the aim is to make Thamarai estate an exemplary integrated farming estate in Malaysia by strategically integrating agriculture and technology.
Durian Capital is positioned as an affiliate partner to Thamarai Estate thereby enabling it to draw upon their expertise in the areas of the modern farming innovation and business development.
MASTER OF COMMERCE IN OPERATIONS RESEARCH, 1982,
UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY, NZ.
BACHELOR OF HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE, 1980, LINCOLN COLLEGE,
UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY, NZ.
37 Years Of Experience in Agriculture. Provision Of Agronomic Services And Advice On The Sustainable Cultivation And Management Of Horticultural Crops To Fruit And Vegetable (1990 – Present).
Focus On 1) Soil Fertility And Optimisation Of Nutrient Inputs And ‘Best Management Practices’ To Improve Yield And Quality Of Produce, And 2) Integrated Pest And Disease Management.
Soil Fertility And Optimisation Of Nutrient Inputs And ‘Best Management Practices’ For Yield Maximisation And Minimisation Of Costs Of Production, And 2) Protocols And Strategies To Minimise And Control Disease In Coconut
Design, Installation And Maintenance Of Automatic Misting And Irrigation System For Weaning And Hardening Of Clonal Plants (Ramets) In Nursery (1998 – 2007).
Area of Expertise
Postharvest Expert Consultant
ASEAN Cooperation Project in Reduction of Post-Harvest Losses for Agricultural Produces and Products in ASEAN Region, 2017-2018
Successfully conducted more than 11 Research in the area of farming & agriculture with 42 publications accredited.
Member of Malaysian Society of Plant Physiology and Vice Secretary of the International Society for Southeast Asian Agric Sciences (ISSAAS) Malaysian Chapter.
Professional Qualification
Geospatialist (Gs), Institution of Geospatial Sensing
Successfully conducted more than 10 Research in the area of farming & agriculture.
Area of Expertise
Agriculture Science | Plant Protection | Plant Pathology / Plant Virology
Has published 44 journals, 5 books and conducted 64 seminars/workshop.
Bachelor of Science with Honours (Majoring in Bio-Chemistry)
University of Malaya Malaysia
17 year experience in agriculture focusing on soil and nutrient management.
Been working on various type of soil by identifying the limitation in term of soil fertility, nutrient holding capacity, water holding capacity and soil density. Been actively researching on soil borne diseases as well.
Has vast experience in improving biological and chemical properties of the soils to enhance the crops vegetative growth to achieve optimum crop yield with sustainable cost.
Has presented papers on soil management to Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA) Incorporated Society of Planters (ISP)
15 years of agriculture experience in various plantation such as Durian Plantation, Chilli Plantation, Dragon Fruit, and Soursop.
10 years of agriculture experience in durian plantation. Conducting periodic inspections of durian farms. Preparing inspection documents as per guidelines inspecting plant equipment used at industry to process farming products and documenting report on findings.
Adapt at various inspection procedures to be applied in different farm environment. Knowledge of various practices of crop cultivation techniques and other farming procedures.
In-depth information about manures, pesticides, disinfectants, medicines, artificial and natural fertilizers. Process good knowledge about various crops diseases and curable treatments.
Datuk Wan Azmir Wan Majid is one of the founding partners of Hafarizam Wan & Aisha Mubarak (hwam.com.my) established since 2006.
With years of experience under his belt, Wan Azmir’s legal expertise is centred around civil and criminal litigation. His areas of practice in civil litigation includes but is not limited to matters of debt recovery, construction, corporation disputes, estate matters, property disputes, joint management body disputes and all other corporate and contractual disputes.
Under criminal litigation, he handles a myriad of matters including but not limited to cases pertaining to corruption, drug-trafficking, immigration offences and wrongful detention.
Afiq is an experienced leader working in both the public & private sector across Southeast Asia and most recently Kazakhstan.
Afiq is a member of the Fintech Advisory Council of the Astana International Financial Centre (“AIFC”), and was until recently the Chief Fintech Officer focused on market development and partnerships.
Afiq is also currently a Public Affairs Advisor with Grab Malaysia focused on digitalisation, and continues to advise multiple startups globally and has strong relationships in the innovation space with global governments and multilateral organisations.
Prior to the AIFC, Afiq was the Executive Director of Ventures & Strategic Partnerships with the Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre (MaGIC). He was part of the founding leadership of this government agency and was previously the Acting CEO in 2015.
Afiq’s main focus in MaGIC was driving corporate innovation and digital transformation activities at a national level, working with various levels of government, corporates, technology partners and startups. He also sat on the Cyberjaya Smart City Council, the National IOT Council, NBOS and supported national transformation initiatives.
As a strategy consultant with Bain & Company, Accenture, and PwC, Afiq has extensive experience in strategy & business planning, feasibility studies, commercial due diligence and financial modeling across ASEAN.
Reza is a strategic consultant with more than 9 years experience in ecosystem building projects across continents covering sectors such as youth & talent development, SME’s, government & corporate innovation. He was most recently the Deputy Head of Fintech Hub at Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), Kazakhstan where his focus was on strategic partnerships and fintech eco-system building initiatives.
Prior to that, he was at Malaysia Global Innovation and Creativity Center where he was involved in driving the national corporate innovation agenda. Reza co-founded a youth development company that was a Winner of the British Council ‘Entrepreneurs for Good’ award.
17 Years experience as an administrator and financial advisor in cooperatives movement, specializing in consumer financing and marketing.
Graduated from Universiti Tun Abdul Razak in Bachelor Business Administration, started working with Lotus Group of Companies with several departments such as marketing, financing & workforce outsourcing.
Results-driven financing advisor with solid experience and a proven record of achievement — dealing with customer service, administrative management and marketing. Mr Sera started his own company in 2018, focusing on marketing of financial products, recovery management and as a training and development provider (Under HRDF).
20 Years Of Agriculture Experience in durian planting. Managed and supervised maintenance of Vegetables and Fruits on various farms and plantations and ensured mass production.
Scheduled routine checks and ensured proper maintenance around the farms.
Provided guidance to farmers on the latest farming practices and the use of advanced machinery.
Carry out various farming activities. Ensures proper and timely use of medicines to keep the crop free from diseases.
Jonathan is an Accounting and Finance professional currently acting as a Financial Consultant for multiple organisations.
Formerly an ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) lecturer both domestic and abroad for Corporate Finance and Accounting. Subsequently a member in the Tax Investigation and Field Audit team with BDO Malaysia.
His area of expertise in financial planning and control comes from his experience from both academic and accounting firm exposure. Jonathan was awarded the ACCA World Prize prior to obtaining his professional qualification with ACCA.
Athir is a former Technology and Business Development Consultant to a subsidiary of Heitech Padu Berhad.
Prior to that, he was a Business Development Lead for a leading FinTech company with a focus on driving digital payment solutions for government agencies. He strategised and executed the partnership of eJamin – Malaysia & South East Asia’s first digital bail payment platform.
The scope of Athir’s skill set in the fields of Law, Corporate Finance and Business Development, have widened with his professional experience in ZICO Law, Axiata Group Berhad and UMW Berhad respectively.
Athir graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Banking & Finance (Hons.) from the University of the West of England, Bristol.
Dr. Vijay Ramalingam Pillai graduated with a medical degree from the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland.
From a young age, Vijay actively involved himself in the family’s agriculture business. While working alongside his father, he has always envisioned to transform and diversify the family’s agriculture business from a monocrop plantation to a multicrop plantation. He has travelled to Thailand, Indonesia, India and throughout Malaysia to learn about various agriculture practices.
Vijay intends to adopt sustainable farming methods and integrate technology with agriculture. His recent project is the conversion of a 3500 acre rubber estate into a multi crop plantation comprising of Durian, Coconut, Jackfruit and cash crops – powered with the latest and efficient agricultural technology available.
Vijay firmly believes that technological change will be the major driving force in increasing agricultural productivity and promoting agriculture development.
Dato R. Ramalingam Pillai is the Managing Director of the Lotus Group of Companies. He is responsible for leading the company’s global operations including site operations and quality control.
He is highly respected for his leadership skills and is profoundly acclaimed for his vision and expertise in transforming and reinventing companies for sustainable and profitable growth. He oversees the company’s technical and business strategy.
He has been recognized for contribution to humanitarian charities around the world. Dato R. Ramalingam Pillai is also the Honorable Chairman of the Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association (PRIMAS).