The younger brother of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak does not deny that he holds some influence within the political sphere.

However, it is only by virtue of corporate position rather than family ties, CIMB chief executive officer Nazir Abdul Razak told Financial Times ( FT ) in an interview today.

“I do have family occasions, but I wouldn’t say that I have more influence with the present prime minister than with the previous premiers, if you like.

“Therefore, the relationship is more derivative of my position running the bank rather than family,” said the head of one of Malaysia’s biggest banks.

forbes conference nazir razak 140911 The youngest son of second prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein and nephew of third prime minister Hussein Onn, Nazir ( right ) was described by FT as being near “royalty”.

But pointing out that he has headed CIMB’s investment bank since 1999, while Najib only became premier in 2009, he stresses that he holds no more sway in political circles than other business leaders.

He also highlighted the need to combat corruption and initiate more market-oriented reforms in the country, saying it was necessary for the nation to claim higher-income status.

To that end, Malaysia could emulate Hong Kong in granting amnesty in cases of minor corruption, as it would reduce resistance from the “vested interests”, he told the international business daily.

However, he cast doubt on the ruling party’s ability to institute reforms, saying “worldwide, no one has really been able to reform from incumbency” and added that his brother Najib has “a hell of a task”.

Nazir has previously called for reforms, warning of a Middle East-style upheaval in the absence of “transformation” and rebuking his father’s New Economic Policy as “bastardised” over the years.

Ironically, noted the interview, his family ties within the establishment may threaten his position should the opposition pact take over Putrajaya in the coming general election.

“It is obviously a vulnerability (for him). It is not so much political or connected to his brother, it is more that he is a part of that almost royalty, that power in Malaysia,” Aberdeen Asset Management’s Hugo Young told FT .

Despite this, Young had high praise for the CIMB chief: “He has earned his position and he has professionalised the business in a way that few other Malaysian businesses have been.”