KUALA LUMPUR: More than 6,000 people gathered at the Jalan Duta mosque here yesterday to pay their last respects to Naza Group founder and chairman Tan Sri S.M. Nasimuddin S.M. Amin yesterday.

While his immediate family members were calm and composed, friends broke down and wept when the hearse bearing his coffin arrived at the mosque.

Many had a hard time believing that the business magnate had died of lung cancer, a secret which was kept under wraps from close friends and relatives alike.

Nasimuddin's body, which was flown in from Los Angeles, arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 12.30pm yesterday.

It arrived at the Federal Territory Mosque in Jalan Duta, accompanied by family members and relatives.
Family members, relatives, friends and business associates had gathered at the mosque as early as 11am. They had come from as far as Japan, South Korea and South Africa and waited patiently to pay their last respects.

The hearse arrived at the mosque grounds at 1.15pm. The coffin was then placed in the multipurpose hall of the mosque to enable dignitaries, corporate heads and the public to pay their last respects.

Students of the Madrasah Sheikh Mohamad Salahuddin Al-Amin, Hulu Langat and Madrasah Al-Rahmaniah, Bukit Beruntung, recited verses from the Yaasin after the body arrived.

Among those who paid their respects were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and wife Datin Paduka Seri Jeanne Abdullah, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Ali and son Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique, former women, family and community development minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and former science, technology and innovations minister Datuk Seri Jamaluddin Jarjis.

Present were former Perak menteri besar Datuk Seri Mohd Tajol Rosli Ghazali, Malacca Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob, Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, and businessman Datuk Khalid Mohamed Jiwa.

Nasimuddin's body was brought into the mosque for prayers at 2.30pm and then taken to the Hulu Langat Muslim cemetery for burial.

As his body was lowered into the ground, Nasimuddin's family members bade him a silent farewell. The talqin, or prayer at burial, was read by a close family friend from Iraq, Sheikh Afeefudin Al Gaylani.

Nasimuddin was laid to rest beside the grave of his mother, Salbiah Abdul Majid.