Biodata

Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin SM Amin (27 January 1955 1 May 2008) was the
founder, chairman and chief executive officer of the Naza Group of Malaysia. The
Naza Group, formed in 1974, has 14 business divisions including motor trading,
bikes, manufacturing, transport services, machine tools/parts, engineering,
plantation, cigarette distribution, credit & leasing, water crafts, properties, hotel
operation and insurance agency. However, Naza is more famous for its
automobile business. Naza Group currently holds the Malaysian franchise
for South Korea's Kia vehicles, and France's Peugeot vehicles. It also holds the
import permits for Mercedes Benz and Mazda vehicles.

Background
Nasimuddin was born to a Minangkabau ancestry. He was always interested in
cars and the automobile industry. He received his early education from Sekolah
Rendah Tunku Munawir (19611966). He then studied at Sekolah Menengah
Tuanku Muhammad (19671972). Both schools are located in Kuala Pilah, Negeri
Sembilan. In 1974, when he was 19, he had RM80,000 in his bank account which
he saved from his remunerations from helping out his contractor father. He
started his automobile business with an allocation of Approved Permits (APs) to
import foreign cars. APs are government-issued permits to import cars
for bumiputra. He made his first million in about a year.

Awards and recognition

In appreciation of his services and contributions, he was bestowed with several
awards, which among others, include the federal award Panglima Setia Mahkota
(P.S.M.) by His Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Yand Dipertuan Agong, which carries
the title Tan Sri. In 2002, Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin was named Motoring Man of The
Year by the News Straits Times. Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin SM Amin received one
of South Korea's highest awards for his contribution to the automotive industry.
He received the Presidential Award industrial service medal from South Korean
ambassador to Malaysia Son Sang-Ha, on behalf of the President of South Korea
a ceremony at the embassy in Malaysia. He is the first Malaysian to have received
the award.

Businesses
The Naza 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. He owned TTDI Development which is one of the
most prominent real estate companies in Kuala Lumpur.
The Naza Group currently holds the Malaysian franchise for South
Korea's Kia vehicles, and France's Peugeot vehicles. It also holds the import
permits for Mazda vehicles. Naza has now also become the biggest and most
prominent importer of luxury high-end vehicles like Mercedes Benz in Malaysia
with endeavours such as Naza-Brabus.

He was reported to be interested in buying a 40% interest and taking over

Malaysia's national carmaker, Proton, which was reported to be in financial
turmoil. He stated that he had already drawn his plan in turning around Proton if
the Malaysian government gave the nod for him to buy a controlling stake of the
company. He planned to build a RM1.2 billion factory in Bertam, Penang.In April
2008, he ventured into the food business by launching the Bubba Gump Shrimp
Co. Restaurant and Market.