10 RICHEST PEOPLE IN SINGAPORE 2011

#1 Ng Family



Net worth : $8.9 billion 

Source : Real estate

He was born in a small village in Putian prefecture level city, Fujian province, China. The eldest of 11 children, he came to Singapore with his family when he was six.
Ng's family owns the development corporations Far East Organization and Sino Group.

Despite his fortune, he had a reputation for leading a frugal and unostentatious lifestyle. Though he controlled at least a quarter of Singapore's housing market, Ng lived in the same house he'd had for 30 years, and used to take his own lunch on the airplanes.

At the time of his death, Sino Group was one of Hong Kong's largest real estate developers, and Far East Organization remained one of the largest landholders in Singapore. Far East Organization also owns The Fullerton Singapore and numerous other landmark hotels and other properties.His older son, Robert Ng, and younger son, Philip, are in charge of the family's Hong Kong and Singapore businesses respectively. Ng's family net worth was estimated to be US$5.5 billion in 2009. Ng suffered a cerebral hemorrhage on 23 January 2010 and, after an unsuccessful operation, died on 2 February 2010 at the age of 82. At his death, he was reportedly the richest person in Singapore.

Before his death last year Ng Teng Fong developed more than 700 hotels, malls and condos in Singapore and Hong Kong, including Orchard Central, developed by the family's Far East Organization, which was the first new mall on Singapore's posh Orchard Road in over a decade when it opened 2 years ago. Big chunk of fortune is in listed Tsim Sha Tsui Properties, chaired by eldest son, Robert, in Hong Kong. Son Philip manages family's Singapore interests.

#2 Khoo Family



Net worth : $6.7 billion

Source : Banking

The family of Khoo Teck Puat, the late Malaysian property tycoon and banker, topped a list of the richest Singaporeans with a net worth of $5 billion, Forbes, a New York-based publisher, said Wednesday.

The 14 descendants of Khoo, who died at the age of 89, came first on Forbes' ranking of the wealthiest in Singapore after selling a 12 percent stake in Standard Chartered Bank this year for $4 billion, Forbes said in a statement. The Khoos, including two daughters, Mavis and Elizabeth, own property assets, like the Goodwood Park hotel in Singapore, worth a total of $1 billion, said Forbes.

More than one-third of the 40 richest Singaporeans made their fortunes in the property and finance industries.
The collective net worth of the 40 wealthiest Singaporeans is $28 billion, said Forbes. This is $2 billion more than their Malaysian rivals and $8 billion more than the richest in Thailand.

#3 Wee Cho Yaw

Net worth : $4.2 billion

Source : Banking

Age : 82

Married, 5 Children


Wee Cho Yaw joined the Board of Directors of the then United Chinese Bank (the now United Overseas Bank, UOB) in 1958. He was appointed Managing Director of the Bank two years later, and when his father Wee Kheng Chiang, founder of the then United Chinese Bank (UCB), retired in 1974, Wee succeeded him as Chairman of the Bank. His son Wee Ee Chong succeeds him as CEO of UOB.

The Singapore Government recognized Wee's public service by awarding him the Public Service Star in 1971,and Wee was named Singapore Businessman of the Year for his outstanding corporate success in 1990 and 2001. In 2006, for his contributions to the banking sector, He was presented with the inaugural Credit Suisse-Ernst & Young Lifetime Achievement Award, which honours the accomplishments of Singapore's pioneer entrepreneurs. Wee was conferred an honorary Doctor of Letters by the National University of Singapore in July 2008.

Wee is also the Chairman of the Singapore Kim Mui Hoey Kuan (新加坡金门会馆), a clan association.

#4 Richard Chandler



Net worth : $4 billion

Source : Investments

Age : 52

Single

Richard Chandler is a New Zealand-born businessman, who has a net worth of US$ 3.8 billion. He was formerly CEO of the Sovereign group of companies, in partnership with his brother, Christopher Chandler. Since 1986 to 2006, Sovereign invested in companies and governments in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe, and in industries including telecommunications, electric utilities, steel, oil and gas, banking and oil refining.

The brothers split their assets in 2007 with Richard Chandler creating Orient Global and Christopher Chandler starting Legatum Capital. Chandler's investment style has been described as deep value investing, primarily in global emerging markets and especially in distress situations.

Orient Global changed its name in April 2010: it is now called the Richard Chandler Corporation. The company website states its mission is to “Build Prosperity for Tomorrow's World” through its financial and social investment groups.
In 2007, Richard Chandler launched a US$100 million education initiative in the developing world with the focus to build low-cost private education opportunities in India.
Richard Chandler is also the founder of Freedom to Create and the Freedom to Create Prize, an international award that celebrates the power of the arts to promote social justice and inspire the human spirit.
In 2012, it was reported that Richard Chandler considered investing in the Tasmanian logging company Gunns.

#5 Kwee Brothers



Net worth : $3.9 billion

Source : Real estate

Four brothers control Pontiac Land, privately held property developer and hotel operator that owns, among much else, Singapore's Ritz-Carlton, the Regent, Conrad Centennial and the Capella. Kwee Liong Keng, 66, the eldest, is managing director; Kwee Liong Tek, 65, who has biggest stake, is chairman. Brothers are involved in a $600 million project to rebuild Capitol Center, a Singapore landmark.

#6 Kuok Khoon Hong



Net worth : $3.5 billion

Source : Palm oil

Age : 62

Married, 4 Children

Runs world's largest palm oil firm, Wilmar International, in which his uncle Malaysian billionaire Robert Kuok has nearly one-third stake. Australian unit Sucrogen, which it bought last year for $1.5 billion, acquired Proserpine Mill, a sugar cooperative, for $121 million. Together with Indonesian billionaire and Wilmar shareholder Martua Sitorus, he reportedly bought London's Aviva Tower—once owned by former billionaire Simon Halabi—for $470 million.

#7 Ong Beng Seng & Christina Ong



Net worth : $1.9 billion

Source : Diversified

Age : 67; 63

Married, 2 children

Wealth of Malaysian citizen Ong and wife, Christina, got boost as shares of U.K. fashion house Mulberry, which they control, soared 6-fold. They also own stakes in Hotel Properties, industrial group NSL and retailer Club 21. Other interests include the Singapore Grand Prix and a Ferrari dealership. He got start working with his father-in-law, the late oil trader, Peter Fu Yun Siak, who founded Kuo Oil. Daughter Melissa joined Mulberry's board last fall.

#8 Peter Lim



Net worth : $1.8 billion

Source : Investments

Age : 58

Married, 2 Children

Veteran investor, sold his stakes in palm oil giant Wilmar and Healthway Medical, reaping huge gains. Bought health care chain Thomson Medical and took it private. Manchester United fan, grabbed headlines last year with his failed $500 million bid for English football club Liverpool.

#9 Kwek Leng Beng



Net worth : $1.7 billion

Source : diversified

Age : 70

Married, 2 children

His Hong Leong Group, conglomerate started by father and uncles in 1940s, has interests in property, financial services, building materials. Chairs London-based Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, Singapore property firm City Developments. Younger brother Kwek Leng Joo stepped down as director of hotel company in May, ceding spot to his son Kwek Eik Sheng. Malaysian billionaire cousin Quek Leng Chan heads Hong Leong Group Malaysia.

#10 Lee Seng Wee



Net worth : $1.4 billion

Source : Banking

Age : 80

Married

Retired as chairman of Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp., among Singapore's largest banks; still sits on board. Also chairs the board of trustees at Temasek Trust. Shares fortune with family.



http://www.forbes.com/lists/2011/79/singapore

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