Nazifuddin: Let market decide

StarBiz

Following are excerpts of the interview with Mohd Nazifuddin Najib and Datuk Raymond Chan




StarBiz: Is stepping down the best way out?
Mohd Nazifuddin Najib (NN): I could stay on and continue with what we have set out to do but I just do not want the rumours and stories. I would rather just stay away and let the market decide.
Does stepping down leave you discouraged?
NN: Not discouraged; we take it as a challenge as we have to be sensitive to the public.

In the limelight: Chan (left) and Nazifuddin answering questions from StarBiz at the interview.

It is challenging times for the country and we have to live with that but (the company) cannot be punished for that.
At the end of the day it is about satisfying people. Will they be satisfied if we sell goreng pisang? Is that the kind of PM’s children they want?
We are very sensitive in terms of the public but until they can really accept, we just have to remain low key.
Are you shocked with all the negative reports that your entry into Harvest is linked to politics and Umno, and that it could be an election play?
NN: Yes, it was shocking because of how it was the wildest of perception. There is no relevance at all (to it being an election counter and linked to Umno). Nobody has made millions from the counter.
Chan: There could be another round of negative talk after the resignation.
Does your stepping down mean you cannot take the heat that comes with the profile?
NN: I could but I just do not want to risk any damage to my friends and any parties. I think under the circumstances, it is best I resign as director but still remain a shareholder.
If you buy into another company in the future and become director but are subject to the same negative reporting on the Net, will you also step down?
NN: Well, I don’t think I will. I will think twice about going back to the market. I don’t know about the sensitivities of the market and would rather stay low profile.
This is something new to me. We are here to do business. I am a young businessman trying to make a living and suddenly this happens.
Chan: He is a non-executive director but looking at the amount of bombardment coming from certain quarters, I also agreed that he should take a breather for a while.
Right now he is going to purely focus on delivery of the 1Green Enviro.
That is huge and we also have so many developments (within Sagajuta) and I cannot go in and take on all. Everyone has a functional role.
How did you see your entry into Harvest (initially)?
NN: I saw it as very positive for the company and the shareholders.
Were you supposed to bring in some contracts as speculated by the market, given your linkages?
Chan: He is not getting any government jobs . He has disclosed that (very clearly). It is all private jobs.
How did you fund your 2.2% equity purchase?
NN: Anybody who buys shares can get financial assistance. The problem is that (the market speculated that I was an) instant millionaire after buying the shares. It is all very funny.
The doubters do not believe your story that something good will come out of Harvest after your entry?
NN: The market will speculate, but time will tell.
Where were you before your entry into Sagajuta last year?
NN: I was in the banking line, working in Hong Kong. I came back two years ago.
What’s next?
NN: Apart from business, I am involved in an non-governmental organisation project – Youth On Unity, where we are looking at developing the potential of youth by giving them a platform in five areas, which are music and culture, business and charity, sports, green and education. It is about development and our way of giving back to society and country.