Their combined wealth is USD729 billion, a 100% increase, a much bigger increase than their European or American counterparts.

As expected, China has the most billionaires, at 64 (27 first timers). India has 49 while tiny Hong Kong proves to be a power puncher at 25.

Others:
Japan – 22
Taiwan – 18
Australia – 11
South Korea – 11
Malaysia – 8
Indonesia – 7
Kazakhstan – 5
Singapore – 4
New Zealand – 3
Thailand – 3
Philippines – 2
Pakistan – 1

The top 2 richest Asians are Indians: Mukesh Ambani (4th in world rankings), worth USD29 billion & Lakshmi Mittal, worth slightly less at USD 28.7 billion. 3rd is Li Ka-shing at USD21 billion. I wonder how well they pay for IT Jobs in their companies.

The same 3 also topped the Asian list last year.

He is the owner of Nishal Group, the country’s largest exporter of cotton clothes and also largest private employer.

In stark contrast to some miserly billionaires, he knows how to enjoy his wealth: a reputation for preferring only the best tailor made suits (and presumably bow ties) from Savile Row, London, apart from those made by Gucci, Chanel and Harrods.

Last year there were only 793 billionaires, this year it’s up to 1,011. The world had the most number of billionaires in 2008 when there were 1,125.

The combined wealth of all of the world’s billionaires is worth USD3.6 trillion i.e. USD3,600 billion.

American billionaires are getting less and less: only 40% of the world’s billionaires are American, down from 45% a year earlier.

Instead, it’s the man from Mexico at the top of the elite; there are 1,011 billionaires in the world.

Somehow, I think these 1,011 guys and gals won’t have any problem getting clarks shoes, even for free.

It seems the playing field is leveling off: it’s the 3rd different man in 3 consecutive years. Gates had held the mantle for most of the last 15 years.

Telecommunications mogul Helu is worth USD53.5 billion, USD500 million more than Gates, and up a staggering USD18.5 billion in a mere 12 moons. Riding on a 50% increase in Microsoft’s share value, Gates himself made an incredible USD13 billion from last year.

One of them, a middle-aged, ill-tempered man got lucky at the baccarat table, winning the equivalent of RM3.6 million in a single day.

Perhaps the golden Buddha palm which he placed on the table on which he played helped.

On his entry to the casino, he deposited the equivalent of a cool RM240,000. Now that’s what I call a single premium instant life insurance quote paid in full!

Annually, he gives RM1 milion to needy students of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) situated in Kampar, Perak. Students would only need to pay a small amount for the rental.

He has also financed an extension for the Salvation Army Home for orphans in Ipoh.

He does not even expect a thank you from the recipients, only a simple promise that they will help others so that “his work will continue even after he has died.”

In his own words:

You can keep making money but there is no meaning to life if you don’t know how to spend it because you can’t take any of it with you when you die. You must use it effectively to help others and create more happiness. It’s more satisfying.

So, while you work hard to earn your living by selling discount prescription eyeglasses or other legal means, keep what he said in mind.

He firmly believes that education is key to escaping the clutches of poverty, having undergone such experience himself.

He made his fortune by co-founding IJM Corporation Bhd, Gamuda Bhd and Mudajaya Group Bhd, three leading public-listed construction companies.

Source
The Star, 23 Feb 2010