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KUALA LUMPUR Malaysia’s “Sugar King” Robert Kuok remains the wealthiest man in Malaysia and even saw his estimated wealth increase to US$12.6 billion (RM51.9 billion) this year amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Forbes’ annual World’s Billionaires List.
The 97-year-old Hong Kong-based businessman however saw a rankings slip and is now the world’s 171st richest man compared to his position of 141 in 2020, and estimated net worth at the time which was valued at US$9.6 billion (RM41.6 billion).
According to the
Forbes list, there are 16 billionaires in Malaysia, with Kuok listed under Hong Kong.
Next on the list is Hong Leong Group’s Tan Sri Quek Leng Chan, 79, which was valued at US$9.7 billion (RM40 billion) compared to US$9.2 billion (RM39.9 billion) last year.
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of billionaires on Forbes’ 35th annual list of the world’s wealthiest exploded to an unprecedented 2,755 – 660 more than a year ago. Among the richest in the world are Jeff Bezos, the world’s richest for the fourth year running, worth US$177 billion, and Elon Musk, who rocketed into the number two spot with US$151 billion.
While the list includes some Malaysian mainstays such as Tan Sri Ananda Krishnan, Tan Sri Teh Hong Piow, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah, Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar AlBukhary, and Top Glove Corp Bhd’s Tan Sri Dr Lim Wee Chai, to name a few, four Malaysians made their debut on the annual world’s billionaires list this year.
#140 Eduardo Saverin
Net Worth: US$14.6B
In 2004 Eduardo Saverin, who is currently based in Singapore, co-founded Facebook with Mark Zuckerberg. In 2012, the pair parted ways though Saverin continues to retain a small stake in Facebook which provides him with most of his wealth.
In 2016, Saverin launched a venture fund called B Capital with Raj Ganguly. This fund has since managed to raise SGD$766 million and they invest heavily in tech firms around the world.
Net Worth: US$13.3B
Robert and Phillip Ng, who are brothers, run Far East Organisation which is Singapore s largest private landlord and property developer. The company was founded by their father Ng Teng Fong.
Billionaire Boys Club: Meet Singapore s 31 wealthiest men – and 1 woman msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
co-founder and CEO Tan Eng Kee.
In Forbes 35th annual list of the world s billionaires, brothers Tan Yu Yeh and Tan Yu Wei made their debut with estimated net worths of US$1.8bil and US$1.1bil respectively.
The brothers have seen their fortunes soar following the initial public offering of MR DIY on Bursa Malaysia in October last year with a market capitalisation of RM10bil upon listing.
Gnanalingam was included in the list with an estimated net worth of US$1.7bil while Tan Eng Kee became another of the world s US-dollar billionaires with an estimated net worth of US$1.1bil.