About Me

Nazir Razak hero photo
Commentator on some stuff
1966
Born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I was born in Kuala Lumpur, the youngest of five sons, to Malaysia’s second Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, and Toh Puan Hajjah Rahah Noah.

Nazir Razak with his parents
1971
Attended St. John's Institution

St John’s Primary was the first school I attended. This picture was taken in January 1976 on my first day back at school after my father passed away. Hoisting me on their shoulders, the boys succeeded in cheering me up.

Nazir Razak with his friends in St. Johns
1976
Attended Alice Smith School

I moved on to the Alice Smith School where I went to classes with girls for the first time and made international friends. One of them introduced me to the Bee Gees. Unlike that friendship, my love for the trio has stood the test of time.

Nazir Razak's love for the Bee Gees

One of them introduced me to the Bee Gees. Unlike that friendship, my love for the trio has stood the test of time.

interests

1980
Attended Oundle School

I became a boarder at Oundle School in Northamptonshire, England. In an almost exclusively white school, I was their definition of diversity. I loved my time there: I made some lifelong friends, became Head of House and represented the school at rugby (I was 1st XV left winger)

Nazir Razak in Oundle
Nazir Razak is a fan of Chelsea

This is where I got introduced to the world of English Premier League fandom. If you are wondering why my site is in blue, this is why.

interests

1986
Graduation with BSc in Economics and Politics from the University of Bristol

Bristol University introduced me to a broader range of people than the public school boys of my past 5 years. I left knowing myself a little better, with a BSc in Economics and Politics in hand.

Nazir Razak in Bristol
1989
Obtained M.Phil. from the University of Cambridge

I earned an M.Phil. in Economics and Politics and learned some fashionable left-wing philosophies at the University Of Cambridge.

Nazir Razak in Cambridge University
Joined the Corporate Finance Department of Commerce International Merchant Bankers Berhad

My first job was in the corporate finance department at a small bank named Commerce International Merchant Bankers Berhad. I was employee number 69.

Nazir Razak in London with CIMB
1992
I married Azlina Aziz, who I had met at Bristol University. We divorced in 2023.
1993
Transferred to CIMB Securities

Moving to CIMB Securities was a heady “Wolf Of Wall Street” experience as international funds discovered our Asian Tiger Economies.

Nazir Razak in CIMB Securities
1996
Appointed as CIMB Deputy CEO

In a lucky stroke of anticipation, I was transferred back to CIMB as Deputy CEO just before the Asian Financial Crisis hit.

Nazir Razak's appointment as Deputy CEO
1999
Appointed as Managing Director and Chief Executive of CIMB

My appointment as Managing Director and CEO of CIMB was only eclipsed by becoming a father to twins, Arman and Marissa, in the same year.

2002
Appointed as Investment Panel for Employees Provident Fund (EPF)

I was invited to sit on the Investment Panel for the Employees Provident Fund. I served here for 15 years until 2017.

Nazir Razak says

The EPF is a world-class pension fund and great Malaysian success story. So long as it continues to be led with integrity by a strong leadership team and follows its established institutional processes, the EPF will continue to grow from strength to strength. My gratitude to everyone who served on the panel with me and all the EPF staff who had to put up with my questions!

2003
Listing of CIMB Investment Bank

The listing of CIMB Investment Bank was a good lesson in life, where dogged determination combined with daring paid off 3 years later as stock appreciated 343%!

Nazir Razak during the listing of CIMB
2005
through 2012
CIMB transforms into an ASEAN universal bank

We spent the next 7 years making acquisitions and new bank launches that included GK Goh (Singapore), Bumiputra-Commerce Bank (Malaysia), Southern Bank Berhad (Malaysia), Bank Niaga (Indonesia), Bank Lippo (Indonesia), CIMB Thai (Thailand), CIMB Cambodia, and CIMB Singapore; to transform into an ASEAN universal bank.

Nazir in CIMB press event
2014
Appointed as Non-Executive Chairman of CIMB Group and Director of Khazanah Nasional
Nazir Razak at CIMB

After 15 years as CEO of the CIMB Group, I was appointed its Non-Executive Chairman.

Nazir Razak's in Khazanah Nasional

I was also privileged to be invited to serve on the board of Khazanah Nasional Berhad.

2018
Retired as Chairman of CIMB

After a thrilling 29 years, I retired as Chairman of CIMB. I put the lessons in transformation I had learned on the job to good use, dusted off my golf clubs and discovered there are other things I like to do.

Nazir Razak retiring from CIMB
🚀 ZAK CAPITAL is established
Launches Zak Capital, his family office

I launched Zak Capital

ZAK Investment logo

A family-owned investment firm, we believe in investing in strategic sectors. We invest in developed and developing markets across different asset classes including private equity, real estate, venture capital, non-investment credit, and public equity.

Through our philanthropic and research arms, we also committed to delivering positive social change. The firm is currently engaged in public health and socio-economic campaigns.

Chairman and Co-Founder of Ikhlas Capital

As Chairman and Co-Founder of Ikhlas Capital I am dedicated to regional development and growth.

Nazir Razak at Ikhlas Capital
2021
Appointed as Chairman of PLS Plantation

I became non-executive chairman of PLS Plantations. Their diversification into agri-food areas is an exciting expansion. Also, Durian is King.

Nazir Razak with Durians while in PLS Plantations
Nazir Razak says

I look forward to providing my guidance and insights at a time when PLS Plantations is moving to expand its durian plantation and downstream businesses, and diversify into other agri-food areas.

Appointed as Non-Executive Chairman of Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (BPMB)

I find myself back in banking. Honoured to be appointed Non-Executive Chairman of Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad.

Nazir Razak says

BPMB is a key development finance institution tasked to support companies and projects that promote socio-economic growth. I am grateful for this opportunity to serve a government institution and make productive use of the years of experience I have in the financial sector.

Today

I continue to look at the Man in The Mirror, question my strengths and weaknesses and ask myself if I am still the right person for every role that I have. When the answer is no I will move on.

Advocacy

A proponent of ASEAN economic integration, I was the inaugural Chair of the World Economic Forum ASEAN Regional Strategy Group in 2016.

I am campaigning for a national reset starting with the setting up of the Better Malaysia Assembly.

As a prostate cancer survivor myself, I hope more men who are at risk of prostate cancer will seek early detection and treatment, because #OnlyMenCan survive prostate cancer. I joined the Board of Trustees for the Urological Cancer Trust Fund in August 2020.

Fellowship

In 2009, I was the Chevening Fellow at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies and in 2019 the Transformational Leadership Fellow at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. At BSG, my focus was on a “national recalibration” which helped grow my conviction that Malaysia needs a national reset and develop ideas on how to get it done.

Chevening LogoBlavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford logoOxford Centre for Islamic Studies

Awards & Accolades

I was recognised as Malaysia’s top executive/CEO on several occasions and was the youngest recipient of Finance Asia’s ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ in 2009.

Awards

2004
Malaysia's CEO of the Year Award

Business Times and American Express Global Corporate Services

2005
Young Global Leaders

World Economic Forum

2005
25 Stars of Asia

BusinessWeek

2006
Top 100 Most Powerful and Influential People in Business and Finance in Asia Pacific

AsiaMoney

2006
Asia's 50 Most Influential Figures of the Last Decade (1996-2006)

FinanceAsia

2007
Top 100 Most Powerful and Influential People in Business and Finance in Asia Pacific

AsiaMoney

2008
Asia's Best CEO (Bank) Survey (second place)

Institutional Investor

2009
Country Awards for Achievement

FinanceAsia

2009
Lifetime Achievement Award - Dato' Sri Nazir Razak

FinanceAsia

2009
Best Managed Companies

AsiaMoney

2009
Best Executive in Malaysia - Dato' Sri Nazir Razak

AsiaMoney

2010
Best Managed Companies Awards

AsiaMoney

2010
Best Executive in Malaysia - Dato' Sri Nazir Razak

AsiaMoney

2010
Asian Corporate Director Recognition Awards - Dato' Sri Nazir Razak

Corporate Governance Asia

2010
Best CEO - Dato' Sri Nazir Razak

FinanceAsia

2010
Asia's Best Managed Companies Poll

FinanceAsia

2010
Billion Ringgit Club Corporate Awards

The Edge

2010
Value Creator: Malaysia's Outstanding CEO - Dato' Sri Nazir Razak

The Edge

2011
Best Managed Companies Poll

FinanceAsia

2011
Best CEO for Investor Relations (large cap); Dato' Sri Nazir Razak

Malaysia Investor Relations Awards

2011
Best CEO - Dato' Sri Nazir Razak

FinanceAsia

2012
Best Managed Companies Awards

AsiaMoney

2012
Best Executive in Malaysia - Dato' Sri Nazir Razak

AsiaMoney

2012
Asian Corporate Director Awards - Dato' Sri Nazir Razak

Corporate Governance Asia

2012
Outstanding Achievement Award; Dato' Sri Nazir Razak

Euromoney

2012
Best CEO for Investor Relations: Dato' Sri Nazir Razak

Malaysia Investor Relations Awards

2013
Best Executive in Malaysia - Dato' Sri Nazir Razak

AsiaMoney

2013
Best Managed Companies Awards

AsiaMoney

2013
CEO of the Year

Minority Shareholder Watchdog Group

2015
Asian Business Leaders Award - Dato' Sri Nazir Razak

Asia House

2015
Lifetime Achievement Award

World Chinese Economic Summit