Ng brothers again the top-ranked Singaporeans on Forbes' 2017 rich list
PUBLISHED ONMarch 21, 2017 8:21 AM
A total of 21 Singaporeans and Singapore families have made it onto wealth magazine Forbes' 2017 list of the world's richest people.
Robert and Philip Ng, whose family controls the Far East Organisation conglomerate and Hong Kong's Sino Group, were again the top-ranked Singaporeans on the list.
The brothers saw their net worth increase to US$8.7 billion (S$12.17 billion) from US$7.6 billion a year ago, giving them the 150th spot on the list.
The second-highest ranked Singaporean was tycoon Goh Cheng Liang at 219th. Mr Goh, who owns a 39 per cent stake in Nippon Paints, has a net worth of US$6.5 billion.
The Kwee family, who own Pontiac Land which is known for its portfolio of luxury hotels in Singapore, are now the city-state's third-richest and placed 316th in the world.
Rounding out Singapore's top five are UOB chairman Wee Cho Yaw (324th in the world) and Shandong Buchang Pharmaceuticals chairman Zhao Tao (359th in the world). Mr Zhao had previously been ranked on Forbes' China rich list.
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Across the region, China's richest man Wang Jianlin, who owns the Dalian Wanda entertainment and real estate empire, was once again the richest in Asia at 18th in the world.
With a net worth of US$31.3 billion, Mr Wang narrowly beat out Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing, who was 19th with a net worth of US$31.2 billion.
Alibaba's high-profile leader Jack Ma was Asia's third wealthiest, ranking 23rd with a net worth of US$28.3 billion.
According to Forbes' 2017 list, the United States continued to have more billionaires than any other country, with 565. But China is fast catching up with 319 billionaires, the second-most on the list.
Microsoft founder Bill Gates, who has an estimated wealth of US$86 billion, was again the world's richest person.
Forbes' list of Singapore billionaires are:
1. Robert and Philip Ng (rank: 150) - Net worth: US$8.7 billion
2. Goh Cheng Liang (219): US6.5 billion
3. Kwee family (315): US$5.1 billion
4. Wee Cho Yaw (324): US$5 billion
5. Zhao Tao (359): US$4.6 billion
6. Jason Chang (693): US$2.9 billion
7. Kwek Leng Beng (745): US$2.7 billion
8. Raj Kumar & Kishin RK (867): US2.4 billion
9. Kuok Khoon Hong (867): US$2.4 billion
10. Sam Goi (973): US$2.1 billion
11. Peter Lim (973): US$2.1 billion
12. Ong Beng Seng and Christina Ong (973): US$2.1 billion
13. Choo Chong Ngen (1,098): US$1.9 billion
14. Chang Yun Chung (1,234): US$1.7 billion
15. Lim Oon Kuin (1,234): US$1.7 billion
16. Zhong Sheng Jian (1,376): US$1.5 billion
17. Chua Thian Poh (1,468): US$1.4 billion
18. Asok Kumar Hiranandani (1,678): US$1.2 billion
19. Oei Hong Leong (1,678): US$1.2 billion
20. Koh Wee Meng (1,795): US$1.1 billion
21. Ron Sim (1,795): US$1.1 billion