Largest durian processing facility to be built in Raub

PETALING JAYA (March 12): The Royal Pahang Durian Group  (RPD Group) has entered into a shareholders’ agreement with Perbadanan Kemajuan Pertanian Negeri Pahang (PKPP) to build, own and operate a large-scale durian processing facility in Raub, Pahang with an investment of about RM40 million.

Upon completion, it will be the largest durian processing facility producing frozen whole fruit, pulp and paste in Malaysia by far, with an initial freezing capacity of 3,500 metric tonnes per month.

PKPP is a Pahang state-owned agriculture agency while RPD Group owns and operates a 1,000-acre durian plantation in Tras, Raub.

The shareholders’ agreement signed yesterday will see RPD Group’s subsidiary Royal Pahang Produce Sdn Bhd and PKPP subscribing 60% and 40% shares in Ample Fruits Sdn Bhd respectively.

Ample Fruits Sdn Bhd will later be renamed as Royal Pahang Durian Produce – PKPP Sdn Bhd (RPDP-PKPP).

The durian processing facility will come with the latest cryogenic freezing technology, highly-automated processing lines, dedicated R&D capabilities and 7,000 tonnes of storage. The plant will also follow the latest export protocols and health and food safety hazard control certifications.

Another agreement signed yesterday relates to the subscription of shares in Ample Harvest Capital Sdn Bhd by Royal Pahang Durian Resources Sdn Bhd (75%) and PKPP (25%). Upon completion of the subscription, Ample Harvest Capital will be renamed as Royal Pahang Durian Resources – PKPP Sdn Bhd.

Under the agreement, a legalisation exercise will be carried out on no less than 7,000 acres of land affected by encroached farming.

To recap, the Pahang government, through Perbadanan Setiausaha Negeri Pahang (PSK) had in July 2019 granted the mandate and approval to Royal Pahang Durian Resources to undertake and implement its proposal to address the issue of illegal farming in Raub, and to curb further encroachment.

The legalisation scheme would require illegal farmers to cease further land encroachment and to register for Malaysian Good Agricultural Practice (MyGAP) Certification, as well as to comply with environmental regulations. In return, they would be allowed to continue cultivating the area with an agreement to sell their produce through the RPD Group.  

The agreements were signed by RPD Group Chairman Tengku Puteri Raja Tengku Puteri Iman Afzan Al-Sultan Abdullah and PKPP CEO Dato Suhaimi Mohd Yunus.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Kebawah Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Pemangku Raja Pahang Tengku Mahkota Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Ibni Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.