If the word ‘billionaire’ was mentioned, your first thoughts would normally be of Warren Buffett, Elon Musk, or Mark Zuckerberg. Yes, they are big time billionaires, but let’s not forget that even Malaysia has billionaires, and 18 at that!
Just this week, Forbes released their World’s Billionaires List for the year 2023. It turns out that 18 Malaysians have made it into the list. With a combined wealth of 54.7 billion USD (240.38 billion MYR), Robert Kuok was the first Malaysian to be seen on the list, followed by Quek Leng Chan and Ananda Krishnan. Three of them make up the top 3 wealthiest Malaysians.
As the richest man in our country and 146th worldwide, Robert Kuok’s net worth is estimated to be 11.8 billion USD. Forbes stated that the source for the Kuok group owner is from palm oil, shipping and properties. Kuok group has interests in hotels, real estates and commodities.
With his wealth totaling up to be 10.1 billion USD, Quek Leng Chan placed 179 on the Forbes list. As the executive chairman of privately held Hong Leong Co. (Malaysia), with interests in finance, food and property, Quek Leng Chan became the second wealthiest man in Malaysia as of 2023.
Ananda Krishnan is ranked 511 on the World’s Billionaires List. As the owner of Maxis, one of the oldest and largest telecommunications company in Malaysia, and Astro, one of the two satellite television and IPTV provider in the country, the third richest Malaysian has a net worth of 5.2 billion USD.
The 18 Malaysians who made it into the list are as follows:
- Robert Kuok, 99, owner of Kuok Group
- Quek Leng Chang, 81, executive chairman of Hong Leong Co. (Malaysia)
- Ananda Krishnan, 85, owner of Maxis and Astro
- Koon Poh Keong, 61, CEO of aluminum company Press Metal
- Chen Lip Keong, 75, CEO of NagaCorp
- Lee Yeow Chor, 56, chief executive of IOI Properties
- Lim Kok Thay, 71, chairman of Genting
- Kie Chie Wong, 75, investor
- Lau Cho Kun, 87, largest shareholder in Hap Seng Consolidated
- Syed Mokhtar AlBukhary, 71, stakeholder of DRB-HICOM and MMC Corp
- Lee Yeow Sheng, 45, executive vice-chairman of IOI Properties
- G. Gnanalingam, 78, chairman of Westports Holdings
- Lillyn Teh Li Hua, n.a., daughter of late banker Teh Hong Piow, the chairman of Public Bank
- Lilian Teh Li Ming, n.a., daughter of late banker Teh Hong Piow, the chairman of Public Bank
- William Teh Lee Pang, n.a., son of late banker Teh Hong Piow, the chairman of Public Bank
- Diana Teh Li Shing, n.a., daughter of late banker Teh Hong Piow, the chairman of Public Bank
- Jeffrey Cheah, 78, executive chairman of Malaysian conglomerate Sunway
- Tan Yu Yeh, 52, owner of Mr. DIY
Are you surprised to see any Malaysians on the Forbes’ World’s Billionaires List?
Source: Forbes
