Forbes recently unveils its highly anticipated World’s Billionaires List. And once again, Malaysia is proudly on the map.
In the 2025 edition, 19 Malaysians have earned their spots among the world’s wealthiest, collectively holding an estimated net worth of US$57.3 billion. That’s a staggering RM256.23 billion.
From self-made tycoons to legacy empire-builders, these individuals reflect the grit, vision, and business brilliance that Malaysians are capable of. Most are familiar names who’ve been on this list for years, but this time, a few new faces have emerged, proving that bold moves and smart investments still pay off.
Let’s take a deep dive into the list, how they made their fortunes, and just how much wealth they’ve built, both in USD and Ringgit. And just for clarity, we’re using the current exchange rate:
$1 USD = RM4.423 MYR
1. Robert Kuok
Net Worth: $12.1 billion (~RM53.5 billion)
Age: 101
Industry: Diversified – Sugar, Palm Oil, Shipping, Real Estate
No list would be complete without the legendary Robert Kuok. Often called “The Sugar King of Asia,” Kuok built his empire starting from a small rice and sugar trading business in Johor Bahru. Over the decades, he expanded into shipping, hospitality (he founded the Shangri-La hotel chain), and palm oil. Even at 101, Kuok remains a towering figure in Asia’s business landscape—discreet, deeply respected, and a symbol of long-term vision.
2. Quek Leng Chan
Net Worth: $9.9 billion (~RM43.8 billion)
Age: 83
Industry: Banking, Property
The founder of the Hong Leong Group Malaysia, Tan Sri Quek Leng Chan is a dealmaker with a sharp instinct for timing. His empire spans banking (Hong Leong Bank), manufacturing, and real estate. Known for operating under the radar, Quek has quietly grown his net worth to nearly RM44 billion through local and international ventures—especially in Singapore and Hong Kong.
3. Koon Poh Keong
Net Worth: $4.2 billion (~RM18.6 billion)
Age: 63
Industry: Manufacturing – Aluminum
The quiet force behind Press Metal Aluminium Holdings, Koon turned a local foundry into a regional aluminum powerhouse. As the demand for lightweight materials in electronics and construction soars, Press Metal continues to be a key player in the global supply chain. His rise is a testament to Malaysia’s growing role in industrial manufacturing.
4. Lee Thiam Wah
Net Worth: $3.7 billion (~RM16.4 billion)
Age: 61
Industry: Retail – Mini Marts
Born with a disability and raised in poverty, Lee Thiam Wah’s story is pure grit. Known affectionately as the “King of Mini Marts,” he started 99 Speedmart from a single store in Klang. Fast forward to 2025, the chain now boasts over 2,000 outlets nationwide, with a recent IPO that raised over RM2.3 billion. His journey proves that accessibility, convenience, and community can build an empire.
5. Jeffrey Cheah
Net Worth: $3.5 billion (~RM15.5 billion)
Age: 80
Industry: Property, Healthcare, Education
A visionary in township development, Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah founded Sunway Group, transforming an abandoned tin mine into Sunway City. But beyond bricks and mortar, he’s built an education legacy via Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, which owns Sunway University and other educational institutions. His wealth isn’t just measured in billions, but in how he’s reshaped modern Malaysian living.
6. Lee Yeow Chor
Net Worth: $3.1 billion (~RM13.7 billion)
Age: 58
Industry: Palm Oil, Property
CEO of IOI Corporation, Lee Yeow Chor has guided the company’s expansion into a global palm oil producer. A lawyer by training, he’s known for emphasizing sustainability, innovation, and governance in an industry often scrutinized for environmental concerns. Under his leadership, IOI’s property arm has also grown to become a major urban developer.
7. Lee Yeow Seng
Net Worth: $2.3 billion (~RM10.2 billion)
Age: 47
Industry: Property, Palm Oil
The younger brother to Yeow Chor, Lee Yeow Seng is the CEO of IOI Properties Group, focusing on urban townships, hotels, and integrated developments. With projects across Malaysia, China, and Singapore, he represents the next generation of IOI’s leadership—leaning into digitalisation and sustainable development in real estate.
8. Syed Mokhtar AlBukhary
Net Worth: $2.2 billion (~RM9.7 billion)
Age: 73
Industry: Engineering, Automotive, Logistics
From selling meat with his mother in Alor Setar to becoming one of the most influential Bumiputera billionaires, Syed Mokhtar controls a sprawling empire. His businesses include MMC Corp, DRB-HICOM, and Malakoff, covering ports, trains, cars, energy and more. He’s also a major philanthropist via the AlBukhary Foundation, focusing on Islamic education and global aid.
9. Lim Kok Thay
Net Worth: $1.8 billion (~RM7.96 billion)
Age: 73
Industry: Casinos, Hospitality, Leisure
As chairman of the Genting Group, Lim oversees one of the world’s largest casino resort operators. From Malaysia’s iconic Resorts World Genting to massive operations in Singapore, the U.S., and the U.K., Lim has turned Genting into a global force. Despite industry setbacks during the pandemic, the group’s recovery shows his long-term resilience.
10. Kie Chie Wong
Net Worth: $1.7 billion (~RM7.52 billion)
Age: 76
Industry: Investments, Metals & Mining
While many Malaysian billionaires dominate headlines, Kie Chie Wong is one who has quietly built an immense fortune from behind the scenes, mostly far from home. Wong, who has lived in Australia since the 1980s, is best known among insiders as an early and pivotal investor in Fortescue Metals Group, one of the largest iron ore producers in the world. In 2003, he bought a 26.5% stake in the company for just $1 million, backing its founder, Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest, before Fortescue became the mining giant it is today. That early bet turned into a fortune, even after Wong reduced his stake to a minority holding in recent years.
Final Thoughts
Malaysia’s top billionaires in this Forbes 2025 list are a mix of old-guard tycoons and newer, strategic visionaries. From humble beginnings to global boardrooms, these Malaysians on the Forbes 2025 Billionaires List exemplify the spirit of perseverance and innovation. Their journeys remind us that with vision, determination, and hard work, extraordinary success is within reach.
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