Robert Kuok occupies the top spot on the 2016 Forbes Malaysia Rich List for the 11th straight year with a net worth of US$10 billion (RM42.11 billion).
The 92-year old founder of the Kuok Group is still Malaysia's richest, despite the pummelling of many Malaysian fortunes over the past year.
The second richest Malaysian is telecoms mogul Ananda Krishnan, whose wealth dropped US$2.3 billion (RM9.69 billion) to US$7.4 billion (RM31.16 billion).
Shares of Maxis, his flagship telecom outfit, fell on the government's proposal to redistribute and auction telecom spectrum, sparking concerns of an expensive bidding war.
His pay TV operator, Astro Malaysia, also saw its stock take a hit after Netflix entered the country in January.
Tan Sri Quek Leng Chan retains his number three position, despite his net worth declining US$300 million (RM1.263 billion) from a year ago to US$5.3 billion (RM22.32 billion).
His privately held Hong Leong Co. (Malaysia) has interests in the finance, property and food sectors.
With the stock market falling 8.7 percent and the ringgit losing 12.6 percent of its value against the dollar, it was a difficult year for Malaysian tycoons.
The slowdown in China and the continuing political showdown in the capital also hurt businesses.
The worldwide oil and gas depression also took a toll on fortunes related to the sector.
One of the hardest hit on this year's list was tech tycoon Goh Peng Ooi. A year ago, his net worth was at US$1.55 billion (RM6.53 billion). But, in August, his stocks fell after an anonymous short-seller said his financial software company, Silverlake Axis, had inflated its results.
Although these allegations were refuted, the damage was done.
This year, Goh dropped out of the billionaire ranks and his wealth fell by 53 percent to US$725 million (RM3.053 billion).
Only six of last year's 50 fortunes rose in 2016. The carnage can be seen among the billionaires.
Last year there were 16 billion-dollar fortunes.This year, there are only 12.
Long-time billionaire Tan Sri Vincent Tan in 17th spot with US$900 million (about RM3.790 billion), joined Goh in losing his billionaire status, as did Tan's brother, Tan Sri Danny Tan Chee Sing at 13th spot with US$975 million (RM4.105 billion).
Ninth on the list, Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar AlBukhary's net worth is half of what it was a year ago at US$1.45 billion (RM6.11 billion), down from US$2.9 billion (RM12.21 billion).
Six people fell off this year's list, most notably Tan Sri Khoo Kay Peng, who had made the cut year after year thanks to his large stake in Laura Ashley Holdings.
But the news was not all bad.
Glovemakers did well, whereby, Kuan Kam Hon at 11th spot with US$1.1 billion (RM4.63 billion), became a new billionaire, up US$120 million (about RM505 million) from last year.
There are five new names on the 2016 list and they include Wong Teek Son, another glovemaker, who joins the list at 40th place with US$255 million (RM1.073 billion).
Another first-timer, number 48 Goh Siang with US$205 million (RM863.27 million), is in a related field of condom manufacturing.
Smart online startups and investments put Patrick Grove on the roster at 39th place with a net worth of US$260 million (RM1.094 billion).
Palm oil magnate Datuk Freddy Lim Nyuk Sang at 50th spot with US$195 million (about RM821 million), returns after missing one year, though he's worth US$35 million (RM147.39) less than in 2014.
In 33rd place, with a net worth of US$340 million (RM1.431 billion) is 93-year old Puan Sri Chong Chook Yew of Selangor Properties. She is also the only woman on this year's list.
The minimum net worth to make the list this year was US$195 million, down from US$240 million (RM1.010 billion).
The list was compiled using information obtained from the individuals, stock exchanges, analysts, private data bases, government agencies and other sources. Net worths were based on stock prices and exchange rates as of the close of markets on Feb 12.
Private companies were valued by using financial ratios and other comparisons with similar publicly traded companies.
The complete list can be found at www.forbes.com/malaysia as well as the latest issue of Forbes Asia.
The top 10 richest in Malaysia:
1) Robert Kuok (US$10 billion)
2) Ananda Krishnan (US$7.4 billion)
3) Tan Sri Quek Leng Chan (US$5.3 billion)
4) Tan Sri Teh Hong Piow (US$4.65 billion)
5) Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng (US$4.6 billion)
6) Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay (US$4.55 billion)
7) Tan Sri Yeoh Tiong Lay (US$2.25 billion)
8) Tan Sri Lau Cho Kun (US$1.55 billion)
9) Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar AlBukhary (US$1.45 billion)
10) Tan Sri Surin Upatkoon (US$1.15 billion)
Bernama
Thu Feb 25 2016

'Sugar king' Kuok is still the richest man in Malaysia, for the 11th consecutive year. - AFP Photo/Files

Total fertility rate in Malaysia has declined since 2013 - Nancy
Malaysia's declining fertility rate stems from economic challenges, lifestyle changes, delayed marriages and infertility issues.

Federal workers were fired 'for performance.' Their records say otherwise
The discrepancy reflects a potential legal misstep by Elon Musk's cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency.

South Korea's Yoon attends first trial hearing for insurrection
If convicted, Yoon Suk-Yeol could face years in prison for his martial law decree.

TikTok restructures trust and safety team, lays off staff in unit, sources say
The layoffs began the same day for teams in Asia and Europe, Middle East and Africa, two of the sources said.

Feb 28 set for sighting of new moon for Ramadan
The Keeper of the Rulers' Seal will announce the commencement of Ramadan for Muslims, over radio and television that night (Feb 28).
![[COLUMNIST] Reforming prisons to undermine extremism: The missing link in MyPCVE [COLUMNIST] Reforming prisons to undermine extremism: The missing link in MyPCVE](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/61718448965_HukumSebatPenjara.jpg)
[COLUMNIST] Reforming prisons to undermine extremism: The missing link in MyPCVE
MyPCVE must include prison reforms to counter radicalisation and address subhuman conditions in Malaysian prisons.

Apple reveals first custom modem chip, shifting away from Qualcomm
This will make Apple less reliant on chips from Qualcomm that also power its Android rivals.

Chinese extricated from Myanmar scam centres fly home from Thailand
To counter prison radicalisation, MyPCVE must include comprehensive reforms addressing subhuman conditions in Malaysian prisons.

Trump says he's considering returning 20 pct of DOGE savings to Americans
The proposal originally came from businessman James Fishback, who on posted a four-page memo on X suggesting a "DOGE dividend."

Hamas hands over bodies of youngest Gaza hostages taken from Israel
The handover is the first under the deal, with Israel confirming identities only after full DNA checks.

Ukraine's Zelenskiy: I am counting on Ukraine's unity and courage and American pragmatism
Together with America and Europe, peace can be more secure and this is our goal, says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

UK Parliament Speaker calls for continued parliamentary dialogue with Malaysia
Sir Lindsay Hoyle highlights the role of inter-parliamentary cooperation in fostering transparency and democratic governance.

EPF earns RM102 mln from MAHB share sales in 2023 - Amir Hamzah
Amir Hamzah says MAHB shares outperformed the KL Composite Index by 11.47 per cent in 2023, a key factor in the share sale strategy.

Malaysia's ASEAN leadership instrumental to address Myanmar crisis, says UK Speaker
Sir Lindsay Hoyle expresses optimism about Malaysia's key role in guiding Myanmar towards stability.

TikTok bidders talk directly with White House, not ByteDance, Axios reports
Trump has expressed interest in the US government owning a stake in the app that is used by nearly half of all Americans.

Zayn Rayyan case: Judge visits scene of incident
The judge and all parties involved in the trial visited the scene where the body of Zayn Rayyan was found in a stream near his home.

Trump appears to contradict White House, says Elon Musk in charge of DOGE
I signed an order creating the Department of Government Efficiency and put a man named Elon Musk in charge, says US President Donald Trump.

US appeals court rejects Trump's emergency bid to curtail birthright citizenship
The executive order remains separately blocked by judges in Maryland, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Singapore Court of Appeal grants stay of execution to Pannir Selvam
Judge grants Pannir Selvam a reprieve over his ex-counsel complaint and challenge to Section 18(2) of Singapores Drug Act.

Plan to revive Malaysia-Bahrain direct flight still under discussion - PM
Whether it is Malaysia Airlines or other airlines, we are currently assessing this, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.