Four Malaysians debut on Forbes’ richest list

From left: Tan Yu Yeh, Tan Eng Kee, and G. Gnanalingam. Photo: Coconuts
From left: Tan Yu Yeh, Tan Eng Kee, and G. Gnanalingam. Photo: Coconuts

Four Malaysians have made their debut on Forbes’ billionaires list.

They are, owners of the Mr. DIY retail chain Tan Yu Yeh (No. 1750) and Tan Yu Wei (No. 2524), Westports Holdings owner G Gnanalingam (No. 1833), and owner of the Greatech factory equipment maker Tan Eng Kee (No. 2524). 

Bosses of the Mr. DIY home improvement stores were reported to have a combined net worth of US$ 2.9 billion, while Gnanalingam is worth US$1.7 billion and Greatech’s Tan US$1.1 billion.

They join other Malaysian billionaires who have been regularly featured in the list, including the country’s richest man Quek Leng Chan, co-founder of the Hong Leong Group conglomerate. Quek’s reported worth was US$9.7 billion and ranks No. 234 on the list. Astro broadcasting network’s Ananda Krishnan, said to be worth US$5.8 billion, and Public Bank’s Teh Hong Piow, valued at US$5.7 billion, were also on the list.

Forbes’ annual The Richest People In The World list was topped by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and Tesla’s Elon Musk.

“I never had dreams of becoming a billionaire,” Greatech’s Tan, 50, was quoted as saying.

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