KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Robert Kuok, the esteemed Malaysian business magnate, once again graces the prestigious Forbes 2024 Billionaires list, affirming his financial prowess with a net worth of US$11.4 billion.
Securing the 176th position, Kuok stands as the lone Malaysian luminary among the top 200 billionaires worldwide.
Despite his continued presence on the list, Kuok's ranking experienced a slight dip compared to the previous year, where he held the 146th spot with a net worth of US$11.8 billion.
Forbes reports a surge in the total number of billionaires this year, with 2,781 individuals making the cut, marking an increase of 141 from the previous year.
Joining Kuok, 15 Malaysians emerge as newcomers to the billionaire ranks in 2024.
Following Kuok, the next wealthiest Malaysians include Tan Sri Quek Leng Chan of Hong Leong (ranked 287 with a net worth of US$8.8 billion) and media and telecommunications tycoon Tan Sri Ananda Krishnan (ranked 624, US$4.9 billion).
Other notable Malaysian billionaires include Tan Sri Koon Poh Keong (US$3.7 billion), Datuk Lee Yeow Chor (US$3.1 billion), and Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay (US$2.3 billion).
The Forbes list also highlights the global dominance of wealthy individuals, with Bernard Arnault and family, owners of LVMH, leading with a staggering combined net worth of US$233 billion.
Tech moguls Elon Musk (US$195 billion), Jeff Bezos (US$194 billion), and Mark Zuckerberg (US$177 billion) continue to exert their influence atop the billionaire rankings.
Overall, these billionaires collectively boast a staggering net worth of US$14.2 trillion, signaling a US$2 trillion increase from the previous year.