NO 1 - Numero Uno Pix of Robert Kuok from Forbes

TAN SRI ROBERT KUOK - Nett Worth USD5.6 Billion -

The rebounding Malaysian economy expanded 10% in the first quarter of 2010, its highest growth rate in a decade. The fortunes of the country's 40 wealthiest are rising, too. They're worth a total of $51 billion, up from $36 billion a year ago and even higher than the $46 billion they were collectively worth in 2008.

All but three are now richer. Goh Peng Ooi enjoyed the biggest percentage jump, up 280%, after he sold two of his private companies to his listed Silverlake Axis. The overall gains are in step with the 32% rise in the Kuala Lumpur Composite Index and the Malaysian ringgit's 11% increase against the U.S. dollar, the currency in which net worths are measured.

Robert Kuok and Ananda Krishnan retained their status as the country's two richest men. They are worth a combined $20.1 billion, or 40% of the top 40's wealth. The country's 10 billionaires are worth $30 billion, accounting for 59% of the total.

No 2 -

ANANDA KRISHNAN - Nett Worth USD4.6 Billion

Maxis / Astro

Vincent Tan is back in the billionaires club this year after a one-year hiatus. His fortune doubled thanks to a jump in his Berjaya stocks. He's spending some of his money on British football club Cardiff City. Another big gainer was Genting's Lim Kok Thay, who is gambling $5 billion on his company's newly opened Singapore resort and casino.

Newcomers include self-made building contractor A.K. Nathan and brothers Shahril and Shahriman Shamsuddin, who get most of their money from oil-and-gas outfit SapuraCrest Petroleum, shares of which have more than doubled since 2009.

In cases where family members work together and have shares in the same businesses, we've combined their fortunes into one listing. That's why the Shamsuddin brothers, who split the fortune equally, appear together. Same goes for brothers Lee Oi Hian and Lee Hau Hian and father-and-son forestry tycoons Yaw Teck Seng and Yaw Chee Ming, who previously had been listed separately.

Three people are back on the list after having fallen off previously. The most notable is the prime minister's brother, Nazir Razak, the head of Malaysia's second-largest financial services firm, CIMB Group. Razak who barely missed the cut last year.

No 3

Tan Sri Teh Hong Piow - Public Bank

Reported Nett Worth - USD 2.1 Billion

Among the five dropoffs is Vinod Sekhar, who runs Green Rubber, which recycles used tires. The company had previously been valued based on what private investors had paid for shares in anticipation of a public offering; that IPO still hasn't happened.

Other drop-offs included Australian-educated engineer Hamdan Mohamad of infrastructure conglomerate Ranhil, Tan Teong Hean, the former head of Southern Bank, who sold out in 2006, and Tiah Thee Kian, who cofounded TA Enterprise.

No 4

Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng - IOI Corporation

Reported Nett Worth - USD 2.1 billion

No 5

Tan Sri Quek Leng Chan - Hong Leong Group

Reported Nett Worth - USD 2 Billion

No 6

Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay - Genting Group

Reported Nett Worth - USD 1.5 Billion

Tan Sri Lim is also the No 1 richest man in the Asian Gaming Industry.

No 7

Tan Sri Yeoh Tiong Lay - YTL Group
Reported Nett Worth - USD1.1 Billion

No 8

Tan Sri Datuk Tiong Hiew King - Rimbunan Hijau
Reported Nett Worth - USD 1.05 billion

No 9

Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary - MMC Group
Reported Nett Worth - USD1 billion

No 10

Tan Sri Azman Hashim - AMbank
Reported Nett Worth- USD 405 million


Methodology
The list was compiled from information obtained from individuals, stock exchanges, public documents and analysts. Privately held fortunes were estimated using financial statements available through the Companies Commission of Malaysia. All valuations were calculated using May 14 stock prices and exchange rates. Unlike our Billionaires List, Malaysia's Richest includes family fortunes, such as that of Lee Kim Hua and her family.

Additional reporting by Caroline Chen, Naazneen Karmali, Noelle Lim and Lan Anh Nguyen

Additional reporting for Malaysia's top 40 by Forbes (Megha Bharee)