The 2026 Forbes World’s Billionaires list is now officially revealed, with Elon Musk taking the world top spot with a net worth of US$839B. Curious to see who runs the game in Malaysia?
Here is a closer look at the 10 richest Malaysians in 2026 and the background behind their wealth.
Top 10 billionaires in Malaysia 2026
No.10 Lillian Teh Li Ming
Lillian Teh is daughter of the late banker Tan Sri Teh Hong Piow and she holds a major stakes in Public Bank Berhad, Malaysia’s third largest lender. Teh Hong Piow founded the bank in 1966. He died in December 2022 at age 92. In addition to Malaysia, the bank serves millions of customers across Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. Her net worth has since increased over US$400 million, going from US$1.6 billion in 2025 to US$2 billion in 2026.
- 2025 world ranking: #2330
- 2026 world ranking: #2052
- Previous ranking (MY): #3 (Listed with her siblings under Teh siblings)
- 2025 net worth: US$1.6 Billion (roughly RM 6.3 billion)
- 2026 net worth: US$2.0 Billion (roughly RM 7.9 billion)
No.9 Kie Chie Wong
Wong is originally from a Sarawak timber family who has lived in Australia since the 1980s. Wong gets the bulk of his wealth from a minority stake in Fortescue Metals Group. As a longtime backer of billionaire Andrew Forrest, Wong once held a 26.5% stake in Fortescue, for which he paid about $1 million in 2003. Wong and his wife, Ann Pin Lim, also own a farm south of Sydney.
- 2025 world ranking: #1940
- 2026 world ranking: #1676
- 2025 net worth: US$1.7 Billion (roughly RM 6.7 billion)
- 2026 net worth: US$2.5 Billion (roughly RM 11.14 billion)
No.8 Syed Mokhtar AlBukhary
Low-profile Syed Mokhtar AlBukhary started as a rice trader after dropping out of high school. The bulk of his wealth comes from stakes in DRB-HICOM (an automotive firm) and MMC (ports, logistics, construction and engineering). His net worth has since increased over US$1.5 billion, going from US$2.2 billion in 2025 to US$3.7 billion in 2026.
- 2025 world ranking: #1640
- 2026 world ranking: #1163
- Previous ranking (MY): #11
- 2025 net worth: US$2.2 Billion (roughly RM 8.67 billion)
- 2026 net worth: US$3.7 Billion (roughly RM 14.57 billion)
No.7 Lee Yeow Seng
Lee Yeow Seng inherited stakes in IOI group, a palm oil and property empire built by his father Lee Sin Cheng. He is the CEO of IOI Properties Group. Lee and his older brother Lee Yeow Chor run the group.
- 2025 world ranking: #1525
- 2026 world ranking: #1074
- Previous ranking (MY): #6 (Listed with his brother Lee Yeow Chor)
- 2025 net worth: US$2.3 Billion (roughly RM 9.06 billion)
- 2026 net worth: US$4 Billion (roughly RM 15.75 billion)
No.6 Lee Yeow Chor
Lee Yeow Chor is the elder brother of Lee Yeow Seng, and he is the group managing director and chief executive of IOI Corporation.
- 2025 world ranking: #1171
- 2026 world ranking: #934
- Previous ranking (MY): #6 (Listed with his brother Lee Yeow Seng)
- 2025 net worth: US$3.1 Billion (roughly RM 12.21 billion)
- 2026 net worth: US$4.6 Billion (roughly RM 18.08 billion)
No.5 Jeffrey Cheah
Jeffrey Cheah is the executive chairman of Malaysia’s Sunway group and he transformed his obscure tin-mining company into a group with interests in property, healthcare, education and infrastructure (Sunway City). In 2020, Sunway expanded into fintech, acquiring a 51% stake in credit reporting agency Credit Bureau Malaysia.
- 2025 world ranking: #958
- 2026 world ranking: #749
- Previous ranking (MY): #9
- 2025 net worth: US$3.5 Billion (roughly RM 13.79 billion)
- 2026 net worth: US$5.6 Billion (roughly RM 22.03 billion)
No.4 Koon Poh Keong
Koon Poh Keong is group CEO of aluminum company Press Metal, Southeast Asia’s largest integrated aluminum producer. He founded the company with his brothers by renting a factory in Puchong, Selangor, a state on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
- 2025 world ranking: #844
- 2026 world ranking: #645
- Previous ranking (MY): #4
- 2025 net worth: US$4.2 Billion (roughly RM 16.51 billion)
- 2026 net worth: US$6.5 Billion (roughly RM 25.61 billion)
No.3 Lee Thiam Wah
Lee Thiam Wah is the founder and CEO of 99 Speed Mart Retail Holdings, Malaysia’s largest operator of mini-marts by number of stores. The company went public on Bursa Malaysia in 2024, raising $532 million. His net worth has since increased over US$3.1 billion, going from US$3.7 billion in 2025 to US$6.8 billion in 2026.
- 2025 world ranking: #874
- 2026 world ranking: #595
- Previous ranking (MY): #8
- 2025 net worth: US$3.7 Billion (roughly RM 14.57 billion)
- 2026 net worth: US$6.8 Billion (roughly RM 26.83 billion)
No.2 Quek Leng Chan
Quek Leng Chan is the executive chairman of privately held Hong Leong Co. (Malaysia), which has interests in finance, food and property. He inherited part of his fortune from his father, one of three brothers who started a banking group in the 1920s. His net worth has since decreased US$2.3 billion, going from US$9.9 billion in 2025 to US$7.6 billion in 2026.
- 2025 world ranking: #297
- 2026 world ranking: #498
- Previous ranking (MY): #2
- 2025 net worth: US$9.9 Billion (roughly RM 39 billion)
- 2026 net worth: US$7.6 Billion (roughly RM 29.99 billion)
No.1 Robert Kuok
Robert Kuok is the richest man in Malaysia. He owns Kuok group, which has interests in hotels, real estate and commodities, including Shangri-La Hotels, Wilmar International (palm oil), and PPB Group. Robert Kuok’s eldest son Beau Kuok is chairman of Kuok group. His youngest son Kuok Khoon Hua is chairman and CEO of Hong Kong property company Kerry Properties.
- 2025 world ranking: #219
- 2026 world ranking: #204
- Previous ranking (MY): #1
- 2025 net worth: US$12.1 Billion (roughly RM 47.67 billion)
- 2026 net worth: US$14.2 Billion (roughly RM 55.95 billion)
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