At 25, Mohammad Nasrul Hakim Othman is already the project manager of one the leading prawn farming company in the country, S Kota Sdn Bhd a pioneer in the industry.

But the fact that his father owns the $400,000 business has little to do with that fact.

When he was invited to join the company in 2001, he did not expect to take over the business so soon.

"I didn't expect it. But I should have seen it coming," says Hakim as he is known to his friends and families.

Hakim had his first taste of business in high school.

"I fixed my friends' cars with tinted windows, tuning their stereo system or adding some cars accessories.

"I charged them enough to cover the expenses and earned myself extra cigarette money," he smiles, recalling his days in school.

He took up several jobs after finishing school which included a short stint as a bartender at a local hotel.

In 2000, he was a flight attendant for the Royal Brunei Airlines but only stayed for about a year.

"I couldn't hold the jobs long because I don't like to be pushed around. It was an eye opening experience that I simply couldn't work under someone."

He then decided to take up on his father's offer to join the company.

Although his father wanted him to handle the "office work", he insisted that he should learn the entire works of the trade. So, he started from the company's bottom rank.

"I requested it because if I wanted to learn the business, I needed to start from the bottom to be with the other co-workers and to have a better understanding of their positions."

He absorbed everything there was to know about prawn farming like fry stocking, pond preparation, feeding and harvesting the prawns.

Hakim still remembers the experience of driving alone for five hours to Kota Kinabalu to deliver a five-tonne load of prawns three years ago. "I was shaken by that experience. It was a huge load and responsibility. Anything could happen."

Despite that, he knew there was no other way to handle the business.

"I feel that it is better for me this way. The workers see that I am as hard working and as committed as they are in the job," says the charming young man.

His commitment has won the heart of his workers.

Hakim also knows that practical work is not the only way to learn about the industry.

He knows that he needs to be updated on the technological side of the industry.

So he went to Sepang Today Aquaculture Centre in Malaysia for a month's course, which proved valuable.

"I learnt how to culture plankton to feed the prawn. That's why our prawns taste sweet."

During his private travels overseas, he makes it a point to visit other prawn farms. For instance, during his trip to Thailand last year, he managed to make a stop at one of the prawn farms at Chantabhuri province.

"I got a tip or two from the method of prawn farming here especially on how to make the colour more striking."

Hakim says he also holds regular talks with 13 other prawn operators here in the Sultanate. "There's nothing wrong in exchanging ideas or tips. There's enough room for all."

At the moment, Hakim and a business partner want to penetrate the chemical and feed market for the prawn. "It's a business decision that saves cost and there's a future in this industry."

It is not a surprise to anyone who knows Hakim that he regards his father highly.

He treasures his father's wisdom in the trade.

"My father delivered fishes and practised barter trade during his younger days. I love to listen to his tales."

All these stories, he adds, pushed him to be where he is today.

The youngest of 10 siblings still consults his father whenever he feels there is a business matter that needs to be discussed.

While he admits that running 20 prawn ponds and marketing the goods is not an easy task, he relishes the challenge.

But most importantly is the business which was established by his father in 1993, reveals Hakim.

"What is important is that I have to keep the trust my father has in me." 

close window