Naza Group founder and chairperson SM Nasimuddin SM Amin died this morning at 1.15am (local time) while undergoing cancer treatment in the United States. He was 53.

Nasimuddin S.M Amin Known for keeping a low profile, Nasimuddin passed away with his wife, Zaleha Ismail and children by his side.

He had been undergoing lung cancer treatment at a private hospital in Long Beach since January, Malaysian counsel Ahmad Asmawi told Bernama in a phone conversation from Los Angeles.

As one of the most prominent and influential automotive companies in the country, Naza Group, formed in 1971 has 14 business divisions including motor trading, manufacturing, bikes, engineering, transport services, machine tools/parts, plantation, credit and leasing, water craft, properties, hotel operation and insurance agency and cigarette distribution.

He made his first million when he was only 22. He left behind five children including Nasaruddin, director of Naza Group.

The AP king

According to Bernama, the Malaysian Islamic Society of North America will prepare his remains and hold a prayer at the Islamic Centre. His remains will be flown home at 1.40am tomorrow.

In the mid 70's, the businessman started establishing his name by applying for government-issued Approved Permits (AP) to import cars for bumiputras.

Getting married at such a young age made him keen to venture into his own business. Since he was in school, he saved every sen he received from his parents and from what he earned helping his father in his construction business and later from his job as a clerk.

“My family was not rich. I saved every little sum of money I earned as well as whatever my parents gave me and I ended up with RM80,000 in savings,” he said in an interview with the Star at Naza World last year.

Always being interested in cars he said what he father did was a total opposite from what he loved. “My father’s construction business was not my cup of tea,” the Negeri Sembilan born businessman said.

Naza Group currently holds the nation franchise for South Korea's Kia vehicles, and France's Peugeot vehicles. It also holds the import permits for Mercedes Benz and Mazda vehicles.

The group has property development - TIDI Development Sdn Bhd - and hotels in Malaysia and Los Angeles, including Howard Johnson in Torrance and the Crowne Plaza Hotel in San Pedro, Los Angeles.