THE SUN, Tuesday, June 4, 1996

FORMER Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Bhd (Proton) managing director Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh has further raised his stake in a telecommunication firm currently spreading its wings into the local and overseas telecommunications arena.

Nadzmi, reportedly going fulltime into the telecommunications industry after leaving Proton in March, has increased his stake from 35 to 60 per cent in Trisilco Folec Sdn Bhd, a digital PABX distributor formerly known as Folec Communication Sdn Bhd.Speaking after unveiling Trisilco Folec's new building and logo in Petaling Jaya yesterday, Nadzmi said he saw vast opportunities in providing good engineering services for the telecommunication sector. "It's good money," he added.

He also announced his plan to rely on family-owned company Trisilco Sdn Bhd, for the purpose of future ventures, especially in telecommunications. He added that Trisilco was used recently to assume control of the Trisilco Folec's interest.

Nadzmi, rumoured to be teaming up with South Korea four-wheel drive manufacturer Ssangyong group, declined to comment on his future intentions in the automotive industry.

Nadzmi still remains as a director of Proton and recently was appointed as chairman of Len Brothers Rubber Products Industries Bhd. He also said he had a stake in Hong Kong's Plaza Business Centre.

In his capacity as Trisilco Folec chairman, he said the company, which started in 1991, with RM100,000 paid-up capital, had raised its paid-up to RM4 million.

Other shareholders are Folec Communications (S) Pte Ltd (30 per cent) and the remaining held by another individual.

He added that Trisilco Folec, which made RM18 million in sales turnover a year after it was formed, achieved RM70 million in 1995 and was expected to generate RM100 million this year, including turnover from overseas operations.

"We are going to increase overseas contribution from the present 10 per cent, as we want to be a regional player," he said.

Trisilco Folec, which has RM100 million in telecommunication infrastructure contracts in hand to be delivered over two years, also plans to venture into retailing of telecommunications products, including mobile telephones.

Nadzmi said the company had targeted to start operations in three months, with two outlets in the Klang Valley and one each in Johor and Penang.