NAZA founder passed away
Another shocking loss to our country, the founder, chairman, and CEO of NAZA Group of companies, Tan Sri S.M. Nasimuddin S.M. Amin passed away yesterday morning at 1.15am in Los Angeles, California due to lung cancer.
Tan Sri (middle) flanked by Rafidah and JH Moon, former MD of Kia Motors Asian Regional Office during the launch of 2 new KIA models
The youthful Tan Sri Nasimuddin was 54 years old. He founded the Naza Group in 1974, and had started bringing in imported vehicles from Korea and Japan. To date, the Naza Group is also involved in various other industries such as motorcycles, manufacturing, transport services, machine tools and parts, engineering, plantation, cigarette distribution, credit and leasing, water craft, properties, hotel operation and insurance.
Within a year, in 1975, he made his first million by applying for government-issued Approved Permits (AP) to import used cars from Japan, hence, he was dubbed the AP King in 2005.
Born in Jan 25, 1955, Nasimuddin attended school at Sekolah Menengah Tuanku Muhammad in Kuala Pilah, Negri Sembilan. He shares the same birth year as my father.
He started receiving treatment since January 2008. His wife Puan Sri Zaleha Ismail and his children were at his side when he passed.
He quoted as saying: “I have always loved cars since my teenage years. That is why I am in this business. My father’s construction business was not my cup of tea.”
His remains will be flown back to Malaysia for a funeral ceremony tomorrow (Saturday) in Kuala Lumpur. Do expect to view it on national TV.
I met him during the KIA Optima and Optra5 launch last year. I always wanted to know more about him and his success story but I guess the fate is not there. My heartfelt condolences to his family for his passing. May his soul rest in peace and that he no longer need to endure the sufferings on Earth.
