KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - The late Tan Sri S.M. Nasimuddin S.M. Amin's ailment was not common knowledge, even to his immediate family. At least, not until about two months ago.

At the mosque, family members and even a few of his closest friends admitted that they had no clue of his illness as he had always been active and showed no signs of deteriorating health, aside from his coughing.

His eldest son, S.M. Faisal S.M. Nasimuddin, said: "That was his style. He would put his family and staff first. He had been coughing, but everyone had bronchitis then and we thought he had it, too.

"I hope my father will be remembered for the way he lived and his contributions to the country. We have to ensure that his Naza legacy is continuously nurtured."

Daughter Nur Diana, who looked calm and composed, said news of her father's illness took the family by surprise.
"Everything happened so fast. When he was diagnosed, he was already in stage four."

Nasimuddin's older brother Datuk S.M. Sharifuddin said his brother kept the news of his ailment to himself.

"Although his immediate family members knew about his condition, they had been told to keep it under wraps as he did not want anyone to worry about him."

Sharifuddin added that it was Nasimuddin's nature not to worry anyone.

"He kept his condition a secret as he did not want to burden anyone. He had always put others before him. This was his nature and he will be missed."

One of his closest friends, V.M. Samy broke down every now and then at the mosque. Samy, who called Nasimuddin almost every day, was also kept in the dark about his illness.

The Sri MS Group of companies group managing director said he considered the founder and chairman of the Naza Group as not just his best friend but also his mentor.

"He was more like a brother. He would challenge me and was always concerned about my family and business."

Samy, who first met Nasimuddin in the early 1980s, recalled staying at Nasimuddin's hotel in Los Angeles when he went there for his son's treatment.

Samy's son was being treated for muscular dystrophy.

"I last spoke to him three weeks ago. I thought he was in Los Angeles for family matters," he said.

A friend of 25 years, Aoki Akihiro of Suneast Corporation said he last sent Nasimuddin a text message last month.

"His reply came fast but he never mentioned anything about his illness."

Nasimuddin is survived by wife Puan Sri Zaleha Ismail, sons S.M. Md Faisal, 29, S.M. Md Nasaruddin, 25, S.M. Md Faliq, 23, daughters Nur Diana, 27, Nur Nadia, 22, daughter-in-law Emilia Hanafi, son-in-law Izham Hakimi and grandson S.M. Fawwaz S.M. Md Faisal.