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Star (Used by permission)
PETALING JAYA: Tan Sri S.M. Nasimuddin S.M. Amin, founder, chairman and chief
executive officer of the Naza Group, passed away of lung cancer in California at
1.15am (Malaysian time). He was 54 years old.
The low–profile businessman founded the Naza Group in 1974, starting his
automobile business with an allocation of Approved Permits (APs) to import
foreign cars.
He made his first million in about a year.
The Group now has 14 business divisions covering industries such as cigarette
distribution, credit and leasing, engineering, hotels, insurance, machine tools
and parts, manufacturing, motorcycles, property, transport services, plantations
and water craft.
Last month it ventured into the food business by launching the Bubba Gump Shrimp
Co. Restaurant and Market, but still remains most known for its automotive
business, holding the local franchise for South Korea's Kia and France's
Peugeot, as well as import permits for Mercedes Benz and Mazda.
Nasimuddin was implicated in the AP controversy of 2005, when he was dubbed the
"AP King."
He had been receiving treatment for cancer at a private hospital in Long Beach
since January this year, Bernama reported, adding that his wife Puan Sri
Zaleha Ismail and children were by his side when he passed away at about 9am
Pacific time Thursday morning.
The Malaysian Islamic Society of North America will prepare his remains and hold
a prayer at the Islamic Centre. His remains will be embalmed and sealed in a
casket to be flown home.
The funeral is expected to be held in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.
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Naza Group founder Nasimuddin dies
2 May 2008 12:00 am