18 Malaysians on 2023 Forbes Billionaires List

Staying atop the Malaysia rich-list, Robert Kuok moved up the global ranking to No.146 with a networth of US$11.8bil.

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 18 Malaysians appear on the Forbes 2023 Billionaires List with a cumulative wealth of US$54.7bil (RM240.83bil).

Ranked most wealthy among Malaysians for another year is Robert Kuok, who moves up the global ranking to No.146 with a networth of US$11.8bil.

The 99-year-old tycoon, who started his business as a rice, sugar and wheat trader in 1949, now has a sprawling business in hotels, real estate and commodities via Kuok Group.

The next wealthiest Malaysian is Tan Sri Quek Leng Chan of Hong Leong Group, who is ranked No.179 on the list with a wealth of US$10.1bil, while media and telco magnate Tan Sri Ananda Krishnan comes in at No.511 with US$5.2bil.

Outside of the top three Malaysians, Press Metal Aluminium founder Tan Sri Koon Poh Keong has a networth of US$4bil.

Casino tycoons on the list include Tan Sri Chen Lip Keong, who founded NagaCorp and owns the NagaWorld integrated resort in Phnom Penh, with a networth of US$2.8bil, while Genting Group's Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay features with a networth of US$2.3bil.

Datuk Lee Yeow Chor of plantations and property conglomerate IOI Group and his brother, Lee Yeow Seng, are on the list with a networth of US$2.8bil and US$1.6bil respectively.

Other entrants include Australia-based investor Kie Chie Wong, who is a minority shareholder in Fortescue Metals Group (US$1.8bil), Hap Seng Consolidated's Tan Sri Lau Cho Kun (US$1.7bil), DRB-Hicom's Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar AlBukhary (US$1.6bil) and Westports' Tan Sri G Gnanalingam (US$1.5bil).

Sunway Group's Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah and MR DIY's Tan Yu Yeh come in at US$1.2bil and US$1.1bil respectively.

Public Bank founder, the late Tan Sri Teh Hong Piow, who was ranked among Forbes Malaysia's richest last year with a networth of US$5.7bil, is a notable absence from the list following his passing last December.

His children - Lillyn Teh Li Hua, Lillian Teh Li Ming, William Teh Lee Pang and Diana Teh Li Shing - are new entrants to the 2023 Forbes list, with the three daughters becoming the first Malaysian women on the list.