Karina Ridzuan

Karina Ridzuan stands at the intersection of strategy, creativity and culture. As interim group chief executive officer and director of group business services at Destination Resorts and Hotels Sdn Bhd (DRH), a subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional Berhad, she has been instrumental in steering the Group’s growth, governance and transformation since joining in 2011.

A passionate advocate for storytelling and the performing arts, Karina is also the creative and commercial force behind Ombak Festival, Desaru Coast’s signature cultural and lifestyle event. Its acclaimed 2024 debut featured an impressive international line-up including The Cardigans, Grace Jones, and Macy Gray, while the 2025 edition saw Simply Red’s only Asia stop for their 40th Anniversary Tour, alongside Grammy-winning soul singer Joss Stone and funk legend George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic. Through her leadership, the festival has become an internationally recognised celebration of music, art and gastronomy, firmly placing Desaru Coast on the global map.

Before joining DRH, Karina spent 16 years with PETRONAS, including as CEO of Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS and the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, where she expanded the orchestra’s cultural reach through groundbreaking collaborations and international tours.

Her unique blend of strategic leadership, legal expertise, and creative vision continues to position her as a key figure in Malaysia’s tourism and cultural development landscape.