Rich and Famous Malaysian

By now it is no surprise that the rich around the world are getting poorer. Malaysia is no exception: Its 40 wealthiest are worth US$36 billion (RM126 billion), down from US$46 billion a year ago. That loss is largely in line with the 21 per cent drop in the Kuala Lumpur Composite Index and not too bad considering the fact that the ringgit has lost 10 per cent against the US dollar, the currency in which net worths are measured.

Malaysia's billionaires continue to dominate. The country's two richest people, Robert Kuok and Ananda Krishnan, both again No. 1 and No. 2, are worth a combined US$16 billion and account for 44 per cent of the top 40's wealth. They are also the two richest people in Southeast Asia. The country's nine billionaires are worth US$30 billion, or 84 per cent of the total, the biggest wealth disparity among any of Forbes Asia's other rich lists. Vincent Tan is the only Malaysian to have dropped out of the billionaire ranks in the past 12 months as share prices in his companies declined.

Below is the list of Malaysian TOP 20 richest Man/Woman:

1 Robert Kuok

Net Worth $9 billion
Age 85
Marital Status Married, 8 children
Source diversified

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

Net Worth $7 billion
Age 71
Marital Status Married, 3 children
Source telecom

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 Lee Shin Cheng

Net Worth $3.2 billion
Age 70
Marital Status Married, 6 children
Source palm oil

Former plantation field supervisor heads ioi Group, one of world's leading operators of palm oil plantations, refineries. Took its IOI Properties private in April. IOI's stock has doubled since November but still down a third since last year amid falling commodity prices.

4 Lee Kim Hua

Net Worth $2.5 billion
Age 80
Marital Status Widowed, 6 children
Source gaming

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 Teh Hong Piow

Net Worth $2.4 billion
Age 79
Marital Status Married, 4 children
Source banking

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 Quek Leng Chan

Net Worth $2.3 billion
Age 68
Marital Status Married, 3 children
Source diversified

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 Yeoh Tiong Lay

Net Worth $1.8 billion
Age 79
Marital Status Married, 7 children
Source diversified

Founded YTL Corp., one of Malaysia's largest conglomerates, run by son Francis.

8 Syed Mokhtar AlBukhary

Net Worth $1.1 billion
Age 57
Marital Status Married, 5 children
Source diversified

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 Tiong Hiew King

Net Worth $1 billion
Age 74
Marital Status Married, 4 children
Source timber

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 Hijau, 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 Vincent Tan

Net Worth $750 million
Age 57
Marital Status Married, 11 children
Source diversified

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 moneylosing U.S. eatery Roadhouse Grill; setting up a school in China.

11 Azman Hashim

Net Worth $470 million
Age 69
Marital Status Married, 5 children
Source finance

Longtime banking executive has been executive chairman of Amcorp since 1993. Malaysian financial services group. Opened Brunei operations in May. Chairman of the Malaysian Investment Banking Association. Loves scuba diving, painting and fast cars. A singer, has also recorded numerous albums.

12 William H.J. Cheng

Net Worth $390 million
Age 66
Marital Status Married, 3 children
Source retail

Runs the Lion Group, which has interests in plantations, steel, property. Though nicknamed "Steel King," biggest source of wealth is his indirect stake in Chinese retailer Parkson Retail, which he chairs. Also known as Cheng Heng Jem.

13 G. Gnanalingam

Net Worth $260 million
Age 64
Marital Status Married, 3 children
Source ports

Former tobacco and advertising executive cofounded, heads Westports Malaysia, one of nation's biggest ports. Private company valuation up because of better information from outside analysts; expects volume to contract for first time since it started as a container business in 1996. Has stake in transit hub KL Sentral.

14 Lim Kok Thay

Net Worth $225 million
Age 57
Marital Status Married, 3 children
Source gaming

Son of late Lim Goh Tong, has run Genting since 2003. Building gaming resort on Singapore's Sentosa Island, slated to open in 2010. His Star Cruises is working with Filipino tycoon Andrew Tan's Alliance Global to develop resort complex in Manila Bay.

15 Anthony Fernandes

Net Worth $220 million
Age 45
Marital Status Married, 2 children
Source airlines

Perennially optimistic travel tycoon on move during recession. His AirAsia, region's largest budget airline, adding flights to Bali, Taipei; secured debt financing for 15 new planes. Stock down just 2% in past year. Its 2-year-old long-haul discount airline AirAsia X began flying from Kuala Lumpur to London in March; Richard Branson is an investor.

16 Mokhzani Mahathir

Net Worth $215 million
Age 48
Marital Status Married, 5 children
Source oil services

Son of former pm Mahathir Mohamad runs petroleum company Kencana; former chairman switched roles and was redesignated chief executive in September. Investors include Quek Leng Chan (No. 6). Recently became chairman of fiber optic cable outfit Opcom Holdings, replacing his brother, its founder, who was named deputy international trade and industry minister. Also Malaysian Grand Prix chief, authorized Porsche dealer.

17 Lee Oi Hian

Net Worth $210 million
Age 58
Marital Status Married, 4 children
Source diversified

Chief executive of Kuala Lumpur Kepong, involved in plantation, property, retail. Bought palm oil business, Ladang Perbadanan-Fima last year; disposed of stake in Barry Callebaut Malaysia. Its Crabtree & Evelyn brand being hit by economic downturn. Also chairs Malaysia Palm Oil Council, chemicals company Batu Kawan; serves as director of U.K. chemicals maker Yule Catto & Co. Plc.

18 Chan Fong Ann

Net Worth $209 million
Age 78
Marital Status Married
Source palm oil

Joined board of Lee Shin Cheng's palm oil group, IOI 1985; remains a nonexecutive director and one of its biggest individual shareholders with a nearly 3% stake.

19 Kamarudin Meranun

Net Worth $205 million
Age 48
Marital Status Married, 5 children
Source airlines

Deputy chief executive of AirAsia, which he cofounded with Anthony Fernandes (No. 15). Also close partner with Tony in several other businesses including AirAsia x, in which he owns a bigger stake; Tune Hotels, which has 5 locations and is opening 7 more; and Tune Money.

20 Chong Chook Yew

Net Worth $200 million
Age 87
Marital Status Widowed, 4 children
Source real estate

Columbia University grad has run family's Selangor Properties since 2000. Stock down just 5% in past year, buoyed by successful housing project in Claremont, Australia.

And especially to Mirians, Sarawak Biggest Tycoon Samling Group Founder stood at 33rd place.

33 Yaw Teck Seng

Net Worth $113 million
Age 71
Marital Status Married
Source forestry

Founder of Samling Group, one of world's biggest forestry companies. Depressed plywood prices and lackluster housing demand have led to falling profits. Stock dropped nearly two-thirds in past year; down three-fourths since its public offering 2 years ago. Son Yaw Chee Ming, who runs the firm, is worth $85 million, just missing cut.