About Us
A brief history.
Koperasi Malayalee Malaysia Berhad was officially registered in 2010. It was set up as a hybrid co-operative, banding together the common interests of the Malaysian Malayalee community, to look into areas of investment as well as to support small business. In 2019, KMMB embarked on a rebranding and is now re-launched as an investment co-operative which functions as a community based socio-economic platform. Its main purpose to deliver long-term sustainable returns to its members annually. The Co-operative aims to leverage collective community liquidity in order to avail of investment opportunities unavailable to the individual investor. KMMB is anchored on the basis of clear principles, fostering an environment of transparency and ethical practices. It is structured to optimise member benefits and make meaningful investments locally to generate sustainable dividends for its members.
Tan Sri Ravindran Menon
Chairman
Chairman's Message
The Malaysian Malayalee Co—Operative which is registered with the Co-Operatives Commission of Malaysia, is the first economic arm of its kind formed exclusively for the Malayalee community of Malaysia. Our primary objective is to establish an investment vehicle through which Malaysian Malayalees by membership would reap economic benefits.
It is my sincere hope that Malayalees in our nation would appreciate the significance of investing in this Co—Operative to help develop a vibrant growth portfolio which could eventually bring about economic independence for our community.
Our Co-Operative aims to generate annual returns in the range of 6-10% through investments in a sustainable, diversified investment portfolio by:
(i) collating invested funds to avail of opportunities not available to the individual investor;
(ii) investing in existing co-operatives that have consistently generated returns of at least 8% per annum for the last 5 years;
(iii) investing in capital preservation instruments that guarantee investor capital;
(iv) acquiring undervalued or distressed real estate and operating the same through strategic partners in order to generate higher returns relative to market;
(v) providing micro loans capable of generating immediate returns, without downside having insured risk of default.
The Co-Operative’s direction is driven by a diverse group of professionals and entrepreneurs with expertise in various fields of investments, and is guided by its core values of transparency, ethical practices and governance.
On behalf of the Co-Operative, I am excited to invite you to join us in writing this new chapter in the annals of the Malaysian Malayalees. Have a look around our website and do contact us for membership details or other queries. I look forward to welcoming you aboard with us as we embark on this visionary journey.
The Board Members
Tan Sri Ravindran Menon
Chairman
Tan Sri Ravindran Menon
Tan Sri Datuk Ravindran Menon is the Group Executive Director and Co-founder of the Hartasuma Group of Companies and Subang Connect Sdn Bhd.
HARTASUMA is the leading integrated rolling stock manufacturer and rail and cable car services establishment in the region, under his dynamic leadership. In 2007, he forayed into the aviation business with the formation of the SkyPark Group, which regenerated the old Subang Airport into the bustling SkyPark Subang City Airport and that it is today. He was also instrumental in developing the SkyPark Link rail line, an intercity link which connects SkyPark Subang Airport to KL Sentral. In 2018, he relinquished Subang SkyPark to diversify his business portfolio. His latest transport infrastructure venture in 2024, underway by Hartasuma Ropeways, is the development of the eco-friendly Penang Hill Cable Car project in Penang.
Tan Sri Menon has blended his corporate exertions with philanthropic and charitable causes both in Malaysia and abroad. Locally, his contributions to the Malayalee / Indian community are harnessed through the All Malaysia Malayalee Association (AMMA) and its education arm, the AMMA Foundation.
Tan Sri Ravi Menon is a recipient of the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award, the highest honour conferred by the Government of India on overseas Indians.
Dr. Manohur Kurup
Secretary
Dr Manohur Kurup
Dr. Manohur Kurup has a distinguished career in corporate advisory and has been practising as a Company Secretary since 1986. He is currently serving as the Hon. Secretary of KMMB.
Dr. Manohur is also active in community work and is the current President of the All Malaysia Malayalee Association (AMMA). He also sits on the Amma Foundation (education arm) as a Board member. Dr. Manohur was the District Governor for Rotary International District 3300 in the year 2017/18.
Dato' Asok Kumar G. Poduval
Treasurer
Dato Asok Kumar G. Poduval
Dato’ Asok Kumar Poduval who holds a B. Science degree, majoring in Mathematics, from the University of Calicut in India, is an ex-banker turned businessman. He is the Managing Director of Umayal Textiles Sdn Bhd, one of the major traders in textiles, designer Indian wear and Indian antiques and artefacts in Penang.
Dato’ Asok, whose involvement in Malayali Associations dates back to 1981, is the current Vice-President of All Malaysia Malayalee Association (AMMA). He is also the Vice-President of North Malaysia Malayali Samajam (NMMS), after having served as its President for six years. He also sits in the Executive Committee of the Penang Indian Association, and is an active member of the Penang Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where he has served in various positions since 1987. Among his other significant affiliations is the Penang State Consultative Goodwill Council, in which he is a Senior member since its inception in 2003.
Dato’ Asok Kumar Poduval has vast experience in the commercial trade and banking sectors, coupled with a business acumen and deep understanding of marketing dynamics, especially in the Indian community of the country.
Dr. Ragavan Nambiar
Board Member
Dr. Ragavan Nambiar
Associate Professor Dr. N.R. Nambiar holds an impressive array of academic qualifications, including a PhD from Colombo, an MBA from Paris, an MSc in Psychology from the USA, a BE in Civil Engineering from Northern Ohio, a BSc in Health Administration from Welmington, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychological Counseling from UKM, in addition to a Diploma in Civil Engineering from IFTE. His diverse educational background underscores his extensive expertise across multiple disciplines.
Dr. Nambiar’s professional experience is equally distinguished. He has held various roles in the public and private sectors, including positions with JKR Hulu Langat and Hospital Kajang. He is also a founder of the cooperative and has served as the Secretary-General of AMMA and President of PAKAR Malayalee. Additionally, he has been the Vice President of the Malaysian Indian Government Pensioners Association, a psychological consultant, and a lecturer at Welmington Polytechnic University.
His commitment to public service and leadership is evident through his work as the Managing Secretary for PKR Caw Bangi Selangor. Dr. Nambiar’s extensive career reflects a deep dedication to both his professional fields and community service, highlighting his versatile skill set and influential roles in various organisations.
Mr. Haridas Menon
Board Member
Mr. Haridas Menon
Mr Haridasan Menon, or commonly known as Hari Menon, an Arts graduate from the University of Kerala in India, is a veteran in the AMMA and AMMA Foundation circle, having held various positions in the AMMA Executive Council, and was also a Director in the AMMA Foundation. Backed by many years of professional experience, his competencies lie mainly in the plantation sector and corporate office management and administration, his area of expertise being Human Resource Management.
He is also an aficionado of the arts and music. Mr Haridas has been actively involved in the local Malayalam theatre since the 1970s, and can still belt away many a melodious tune. Mr Haridas Menon brings with him a wealth of knowledge on matters pertaining to the history and culture of the Malayalee community in Malaysia.
Mr. Santiran Sankaran
Board Member
Mr. Santiran Sankaran
Mr. Santiran is the CEO of Koperasi Serbaguna Pertanian Perusahaan Kemajan Berhad, where he has demonstrated considerable leadership. He has dedicated 54 years to working with the Cooperative Movement, reflecting his extensive experience and commitment to the sector.
In addition to his role with the cooperative, Mr. Santiran is a licensed Secretary and holds a Practising Certificate issued by Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia. He has been practising as a Secretary for over 40 years, which underscores his deep expertise and long-standing professionalism in this field.
Currently, Mr. Santiran serves as a Council Member of the Institute of Approved Company Secretaries, where he contributes to the governance and advancement of the profession. His extensive experience and active participation in these roles highlight his significant contributions to both the cooperative sector and the company secretarial profession.
Datin Sri Shaila Nair
Board Member
Datin Sri Shaila Nair
Datin Sri Shaila V, a committed and talented producer, and an actor & singer with strong creative instincts, is a perfectionist who possesses a solid work ethic which compels her to keep fine-tuning her acting skills, to achieve a complete & satisfactory performance that is needed. She is committed to achieving the highest standard of performance and is always willing to listen and learn from others.
In the past she has worked alongside renowned figures in both local and international settings. She is energetic, prepared to "go the extra mile" and is sure to make a real difference to any project she is involved in.
Apart from her contribution in the entertainment industry, Datin Sri Shaila V is a prominent businesswoman running her own company Shaibha Vision and a qualified lawyer.
Mr. Jayadeep Bhanudevan
Board Member
Mr. Jayadeep Bhanudevan
Jayadeep is a practising lawyer having completed his legal training in the UK and in Malaysia and called to the Bar in 1994. Registering as a senior member of the Malaysian Bar, Jayadeep is considered a leading corporate and commercial lawyer in Malaysia and is much sought after to provide tailor made advise and consultation.
Jayadeep is the founder, and until recently, the Managing Partner of Messrs Jayadeep Hari & Jamil (JHJ), a firm with 7 offices across several states in Peninsula Malaysia. He is now a Consultant for JHJ in Kuala Lumpur and sits as adviser and/or director on several company boards, cooperative societies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), management corporations, etc.
Jayadeep provides legal consultation and customised legal and corporate solutions to his clients, stakeholders and society generally, within and outside Malaysia. As an industry leader, he is also at the forefront in the areas of sustainability, social responsibilities, governance & compliance and presents papers and lectures on the subjects at various levels.
Over his distinguished career, Jayadeep had represented organisations (both governmental and non-governmental, profit or non-profit), social enterprises, corporations (public or private, listed, trusts, etc) on a wide variety of matters, including licensing, mergers and acquisitions, leveraged financing, collaborations and joint ventures, business structuring and reconstructions, and other significant business and corporate matters.
Ms. Bindu Menon
Board Member
Ms. Bindu Menon
Bindu Menon is an accomplished Chartered Accountant from the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) from University of Canberra, Australia. She has more than 25 years of experience in strategy and business development, investor relations, strategic communications, sustainability, finance, advisory and assurance and has worked for corporates in the property and real estate, energy & logistics engineering industries. She currently helms the Group Strategic Communications & Investor Relations at KLCC (Holdings) Sdn Bhd, the master developer of the 100-acre KLCC Development, engaged in property investment, development, management services and utilities.
Being people focused, Bindu is passionate about developing and inspiring key talent to peak performance. As a collaborative leader, she is results driven and prides herself in executing with quality and excellence. Bindu is a firm believer of living life to the fullest!
Ms. Shivani Unnikrishan
Board Member
Ms. Shivani Unnikrishnan
Shiv Unnikrishnan is a technopreneur with a background in investment banking and consulting within the O&G sector. She studied Banking & Finance (Applied) in Australia and started her career in banking in Sydney.
Shiv returned to Malaysia in 2013 to serve the Malaysian Government and consequently held a few consulting roles in O&G. Shortly after, she co-founded Planally Sdn. Bhd. a forward-thinking technology company, providing its proprietary work management platform, Planally. Planally is dedicated to providing organisations both Malaysia and globally, with innovative solutions to digitalize and streamline their workflows.
It was a combination of her traditional banking and O&G consulting roles that created a passion in her for merging technological solutions that prioritise best practices and revolutionise orthodox business practices. With a deep understanding of industry needs and a commitment to excellence, Shiv leads the operational strategies that empower businesses to enhance productivity, improve efficiency, and achieve their goals seamlessly.
As the Partner and Chief Operating Officer at Planally, Shiv plays a pivotal role in finance, legal and operational matters. In her free time, she uses her eye for detail and artistic flair to dabble in fashion designing and watercolour painting.
Mr. Galvin Soosay Nathan
Board Member
Mr. Galvin Soosay Nathan
Galvin Soosay Nathan holds a Master’s degree in Finance and Law with a focus on Islamic Finance from Newcastle University. He also earned an LLB from the University of Nottingham and was called to the bar of both England and Wales and Malaysia.
Previously, a practising lawyer, he has had a diverse career spanning various industries. His professional experience includes working and building companies in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Galvin has been/is involved in the areas of asset management and real estate investments and development, start ups, financial technology, cross-border remittances and various areas of corporate and commercial law.
Ms. Reetha Mathewes
Board Member
Ms. Reetha Mathewes
Reetha Mathewes is a Financial Advisor at American International Assurance (AIA BERHAD), bringing over 33 years of unparalleled expertise in Life and General Insurance. Her distinguished career is marked by her lifetime membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table Association and numerous industry awards, which attest to her exceptional leadership and innovation in the field.
Reetha's influence extends far beyond her professional realm. As a global traveler who has explored over 60 countries, she exemplifies courage and a deep curiosity about the world.
Being the past President of the Rotary Club and the International Women’s Association of Johor Bahru highlight her commitment to charitable causes. Through her tireless efforts in various organizations, Reetha uses her platform in giving back to society, impacting lives and inspiring others with her contributions.