Forbes

JULY 2016 FORBES ASIA | 63

F

rom a Kuala Lumpur office, 38-year-old Arun Pudur is build-

ing an international business empire, or so he says. The flag-

ship of his Pudur Corp., he says, competes with Microsoft,

Adobe, Symantec and other technology giants with copycat

products that he promotes as cheaper, faster and less prone

to viruses. Its biggest seller is a knockoff of Microsoft Office that he says

boasts 25.6 million users, including U.S. multinationals such as General

Electric, Krispy Kreme, MTV and Boeing.

After software there’s mining. Pudur says he bought a gold mine in

South Africa in January and that he aims to become the world’s third-

largest platinum producer in five years. Five years ago, he says, he began

trading liquefied natural gas in East Asia. He says he and a partner are

developing a beach resort, casino and water theme park in Malawi. He

says he’s invested $10.2 million in Genesis Telecom, which he describes

Wannabe

Billionaire

Arun Pudur talks of a business empire

that stretches from his base in Malaysia to

the U.S. and Africa. But how much is real?

BY GRACE CHUNG AND JOHN KOPPISCH

FORBES ASIA

ARUN PUDUR

CHARLES PERTWEE FOR FORBES