In the vibrant tapestry of Southeast Asia's economy, Malaysia stands out as a hub of entrepreneurial grit and innovation. As of 2025, the country's top tycoons have seen their collective fortunes swell to $90 billion, buoyed by a stronger ringgit despite a sluggish stock market and global tariffs.
Drawing from Forbes' annual Malaysia's 50 Richest list, released in April 2025, these entrepreneurs—many self-made or heirs to sprawling empires—dominate sectors like agribusiness, finance, real estate, and emerging tech. Their stories blend humble beginnings with bold risks, from sugar trading to AI-driven traffic systems, fueling Malaysia's GDP and inspiring a new generation.
This ranking spotlights the top 20 by net worth (as of April 7, 2025), focusing on those who embody entrepreneurial spirit through founding or scaling businesses. While some fortunes are family-held, we've highlighted the driving figures. Net worths reflect stock prices, exchange rates, and valuations of public and private assets.
1. Robert Kuok: The Sugar King at 101
At 101, Robert Kuok remains Malaysia's undisputed wealth titan, with a fortune rooted in post-WWII sugar trading that evolved into a global conglomerate. His Kuok Group spans Wilmar International (palm oil giant) and Shangri-La Hotels, now eyeing data centers in Johor. Kuok's philosophy—"business is about people"—has sustained his $11.4 billion empire through economic storms.
2. Quek Leng Chan: The Banking Patriarch
Quek Leng Chan's $9.8 billion net worth surged $1 billion in 2025, thanks to Hong Leong's finance-to-food diversification. Inheriting and expanding his family's 1940s trading roots, Quek chairs a group with banks, property, and McDonald's franchises in Malaysia. His low-profile style belies influence in Kuala Lumpur's boardrooms.
3. Teh Siblings: Public Bank's Heirs
The four Teh siblings—Diona, Lillian, Lillyn, and William—share $5.9 billion from their late father Teh Hong Piow's Public Bank, Asia's fourth-largest by market cap. Founded in 1966, the bank grew under Piow's vision; the siblings now steer it toward digital banking, each holding equal stakes worth $1.6 billion individually.
4. Koon Poh Keong & Siblings: Aluminum Powerhouse
The Koon family's $5.4 billion stems from Press Metal, Southeast Asia's top aluminum producer. Brothers Poh Keong and Poh Ming started recycling scrap in 1986; today, it supplies tech giants, weathering price dips with upstream smelting expansions.
5. Krishnan Family: Telecom Legacy
Post-Ananda Krishnan's 2024 passing, his heirs debuted with $5.3 billion from Usaha Tegas, controlling Maxis and Astro. The Harvard-educated founder's oil-trading savvy built a media-energy behemoth; the family now navigates streaming wars and 5G rollouts.
6. Teo Chiang Hong & Family: Power and Property Moguls
YTL Group's $4.2 billion fortune, led by Francis Yeoh (Teo Chiang Hong's son), invests $3.3 billion in Johor's solar data center. Founded in 1955 as a road-builder, YTL now powers Malaysia's grid and builds sustainable infrastructure.
7. Lee Thiam Wah: Mini-Mart Millionaire
Newcomer Lee Thiam Wah's $3.5 billion exploded via 99 Speed Mart's 2024 IPO, raising $532 million. Overcoming disability and poverty, he grew from one Klang store to 2,000 outlets, dominating Malaysia's convenience retail.
8. Lee Yeow Chor: Palm Oil Prince
IOI Group's $3.1 billion heir Lee Yeow Chor drives sustainable palm oil and property ventures across Asia. Inheriting from his father, he focuses on eco-certifications amid global scrutiny.
9. Jeffrey Cheah: Sunway's Visionary
Sunway Group's $3 billion empire, under Jeffrey Cheah, spans theme parks, universities, and hospitals. From tin mining in 1974, Cheah's integrated townships added $600 million in 2025 via healthcare IPO plans.
10. Lee Oi Hian & Family: IOI's Steady Hand
The Lee family's $2.8 billion in IOI Corporation fuels palm oil refining and plantations. Oi Hian's leadership emphasizes traceability, navigating EU deforestation rules.
11. Syed Mokhtar Albukhary: The Humble Conglomerateur
Bumiputera billionaire Syed Mokhtar's $2.2 billion empire includes ports and rice trading via Tradewinds. From meat-selling in Alor Setar, his philanthropy—building mosques—mirrors his $1 billion+ donations.
12. Lim Kok Thay: Genting's Gambling Guru
Genting's $1.8 billion fortune, led by Lim Kok Thay, thrives on Resorts World casinos. Inheriting his father's 1965 vision, Lim expands into New York and digital gaming.
13. Tan Yu Yeh: DIY Dynamo
Mr. DIY's $1.3 billion retail chain, founded by Tan Yu Yeh, boasts 1,000+ stores. From hardware trading, his low-cost model boomed during lockdowns.
14. Lim Wee Chai: Glove Guru's Return
Top Glove's Lim Wee Chai re-entered with $1.1 billion, capitalizing on healthcare demand. Starting as a rubber tapper's son, his firm dominates global glove production.
15-20: Emerging and Established Forces
- Ananda Krishnan Estate ($1.0B): Legacy telecom stakes post-2024.
- Chia Song Kun ($0.9B): QL Resources' agribusiness empire.
- Tan Boon Hock ($0.8B): Optimax's eye clinics and AI traffic tech debut.
- Vincent Tan ($0.7B): Berjaya's telecom-to-hospitality pivot.
- Tony Fernandes ($0.6B): AirAsia's low-cost aviation rebound.
- Nazir Razak ($0.5B): CIMB's investment banking prowess.
The Bigger Picture: Entrepreneurs Driving Malaysia Forward
These 20 entrepreneurs aren't just wealthy—they're architects of Malaysia's $400 billion economy, employing millions and pioneering sustainability amid climate challenges. From Kuok's data center bets to Lee's retail revolution, their ventures signal a shift toward tech and green energy. Yet, controversies like cronyism and inequality linger, prompting calls for equitable growth. As Malaysia eyes high-income status by 2030, these titans' legacies will define its trajectory—proving that in business, resilience refines riches.
