Top 10 Richest People in Malaysia

1. Robert Kuok Hock Nien - Current Wealth: USD9.0 Billion
Onetime rice, sugar trader heads multinational Kuok Group. Biggest source of wealth is stake in Wilmar International, palm oil outfit run by his nephew. Other big holdings are Hong Kong real estate group Kerry Properties, hotel operator Shangri-La Asia. Has an interest in South China Morning Post publisher. With Filipino tycoon Eduardo Cojuangco Jr.'s San Miguel, plans to spend up to $1 billion to develop public land for farming to boost agricultural sector.

2. Ananda Krishnan - Current Wealth: USD7.0 Billion
Runs Maxis Communications, Malaysia's largest cell phone service provider, with more than 10 million subscribers; took it private in June 2007 in $12 billion deal, then sold 25% to Saudi Telecom the same month. Last year sold Excel, the exhibition venue in London's Docklands, for reported $230 million and bought 20% stake in British regional newspaper chain Johnston Press, luckily a small holding, as stock has dropped more than 80% since as it struggles with debt. Modern art collector, has homes in Kuala Lumpur, London and south of France; has a son who is a monk living in the forest.

3. Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng - Current Wealth: USD3.2 Billion
Lee, known for being a tough businessman and a boss, is the executive chairman of IOI Corp Bhd. Having invariable interest in oil palm, he is recognised as the palm oil tycoon, and is setting far sights to make IOI Corp the world's largest oleochemical producer via Pan Century Group. Lee also has thriving Puchong township to offer, under the name of IOI Properties, which is easily one of Malaysia's top developers.

4. Puan Sri Lee Kim Hua- Current Wealth: USD2.5 Billion
Widow of Lim Goh Tong, who transformed a jungle on outskirts of Kuala Lumpur into one of world's most successful casino resorts. Genting Group now run by her son Lim Kok Thay (No. 14) but inheritance held in trust to benefit Lee, her children and grandchildren.

5. Tan Sri Teh Hong Piow - Current Wealth: USD2.4 Billion
Former bank clerk opened first bank in 1966. Now his Public Bank has 14,000 employees; branches throughout Malaysia, also in Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, China. Set up Public Islamic Bank as a subsidiary in November 2008. Donates to medical institutions and to the Malaysian Nature Society to fund planting of trees.

6. Tan Sri Quek Leng Cheng - Current Wealth: USD2.3 Billion
Heads conglomerate Hong Leong Group Malaysia, with interests in finance, entertainment, real estate. Bought 5% stake in Mokhzani Mahathir's (No. 16) Kencana Petroleum and 3% in Intercontinental Hotels Group last year. Family's GuocoLand is planning retail, residential, office projects in China. Inherited business from his father, one of 3 brothers to start a banking group in 1920s.
 

7. Tan Sri Yeoh Tiong Lay - Current Wealth: USD1.8 Billion
Founded YTL Corp., one of Malaysia's largest conglomerates, run by son Tan Sri Francis Yeoh.

8. Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary - Current Wealth: USD1.1 Billion
Former rice trader controls Malaysia Mining Corp. (MMC); has stakes in Malaysia's Johor Port, independent power producer Malakoff, natural gas distributor Gas Malaysia. Inking projects in Saudi Arabia, Jordan. Lost billionaire status earlier this year but back up top thanks to rebound of MMC stock. His Albukhary Foundation offers scholarships to students from poor countries to pursue college education in Malaysia.

9. Tan Sri Tiong Hiew King - Current Wealth: USD1.0 Billion
Dubbed by some as Asia's Rupert Murdoch—his Chinese Media International has 5 newspapers, 30 magazines in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, mainland China, Taiwan, North America. His Rimbunan Hijua, which means "forever green," has palm oil, timber assets. Big player in New Zealand, where he owns timber, property and fish farming companies; also in Papua New Guinea, where he has an English-language newspaper, hypermarkets and controversial logging operations.

10. Tan Sri Vincent Tan - Current Wealth: USD750 Million
Has run Berjaya, which means "success" in Malay, since 1984; interests in hotels, lotteries, real estate, finance. Operates 7-Eleven, Wendy's, Starbucks, Borders in Malaysia. Opened first Krispy Kreme store there in April. Also operates water and sewage treatment and sanitary landfills in Malaysia, Indonesia and China. Selling stake in money losing U.S. eatery Roadhouse Grill; setting up a school in China.


Source: Forbes.com