KUALA LUMPUR: The Forbes World's Billionaires List includes 18 Malaysians with a total of US$54.7 billion in wealth saw Tan Sri Robert Kuok maintaining his position as the country's richest.
Kuok is the owner of the Kuok Group which has interests in commodities, hotels, and real estate, puts himself on the list at number 146 with a fortune of US$11.8 billion.
He is followed by Tan Sri Quek Leng Chan of Hong Leong Group, with US$10.1 billion at 179th place and Maxis's Tan Sri Ananda Krishnan, having US$5.2 billion at the 511th spot.
Tan Sri Koon Poh Keong, who founded Press Metal Aluminium with his four brothers in 1986, is ranked fourth in the country and 699th overall.
Tan Sri Teh Hong Piow of Public Bank, who was among the top 10 richest Malaysians in Forbes 2022 with a net worth of US$5.7 billion was absent following his passing in December of last year.
His children, however, made it into the list as new entries. They are William Teh Lee Pang, Lillian Teh Li Ming, Lillyn Teh Li Hua and Diana Teh Li Shing, surviving him. His daughters' inclusion also makes them the first Malaysian women on the billionaire list.
Malaysia's richest list continued with Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay of Genting Group and Tan Sri Dr Chen Lip Keong of Naga Group.
IOI Group duo Datuk Lee Yeow Chor and Lee Yeow Seng are also listed as Forbes' billionaires.
The rest of the Malaysian billionaires on the list are: Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary, US$1.6 billion; Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam, US$1.5 billion; Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah, US$1.2 billion; Tan Yu Yeh, US$1.1 billion; Kie Chie Wong, US$1.8 billion; and, Tan Sri Lau Cho Kun, US$1.7 billion.
Overall a total of 2,640 billionaires were listed and 254 people have lost their billionaire status altogether.
Forbes also stated that for the second straight year, the number of billionaires around the globe has declined from 2,668 in 2022 to 2,640 in 2023 as turbulent times have hit both public and private markets.