Friday, May 2, 2008

Naza Group Founder Nasimuddin Dies

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-prolife businessman founded the Naza group in 1974, starting his automotive 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 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 Madza.

Nasimuddin was implicated in the AP controversy of 2005, when he was dubbed the "AP KING".

He has been receiving treatment for cancer at a private hospital in Long Beach since January this year, his wife Puan Sri Zaleha Ismail and his 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. AL-Fatiha

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