The younger Kuok, who is a Singaporean, was the biggest gainer this year, as shares of his palm oil company Wilmar International appreciated by 70% since the previous rich list.

He started out as a flour trader working for his uncle and later set out on his own, co-founding Wilmar with Indonesian Martua Sitorus in 1991.

The two then merged Wilmar with Robert Kuok's plantation and agribusiness in mid-2007, and turned Wilmar into one of the world's largest palm oil producers.

Also on the list is Malaysian Ong Beng Seng who, together with his wife Christina Ong, is worth a combined US$700 million and ranks 10th on the list.

Ong, who has long resided in the republic, is managing director of Hotel Properties, which includes Four Seasons, Hard Rock Hotels in Southeast Asia, and also owns rights to the Singapore Grand Prix.

His wife runs Como Hotels and Resorts, retail empire Club 21 and also owns a yoga studio, health food store. The couple also has stakes in steel outfit NSL and Kuo International, founded by her late father Peter Fu Yun Siak.

According to the 2009 Forbes Asia Singapore Rich List, the country's 40 wealthiest people are now worth a combined US$39 billion, up 22% from US$32 billion a year ago.

Forbes said the island's richest people benefited partly from the gains on the country's stock market, which jumped almost 90% since its March low.

It said this year, 19 tycoons on the list were richer, including six of the top 10, while 13 saw their net worth fall.

The minimum net worth needed to make the list this year was US$135 million, up from US$120 million in 2008.

Real estate mogul Ng Teng Fong held on to the top spot with a net worth of US$8 billion, up from US$7 billion last year. The 81-year-old and his family control the privately owned Far East Organisation. The company and its subsidiary Sino Group have developed over 700 hotels, malls and condominiums in Hong Kong and Singapore.

The runner-up is the Khoo family with a net worth of US$5.5 billion, down US$600 million from 2008. The late banker Khoo Teck Puat left his estate to 14 children in 2004. His family sold its stake in Standard Chartered Bank in 2006 for an estimated US$4 billion but has held on to its Goodwood Group of Hotels.

This ranking, unlike the Forbes billionaire list, includes numerous family assets shared by individuals and their children, grandchildren and siblings. Where family assets are held by extended families, Forbes Asia splits them into separate entries.

1. Ng Teng Fong
(Up) US$8 billion REAL ESTATE
81. Married, 6 children
In July opened Orchard Central, first new mall in more than a decade on Singapore's swank Orchard Road (another opened a week later). His Far East Organisation and subsidiary Sino Group have developed more than 700 hotels, malls, condos in Hong Kong and Singapore.

2. Khoo Family
(Down) US$5.5 billion BANKING
Late banker Khoo Teck Puat left fortune to his 14 children in 2004. Family sold stake in Standard Chartered Bank in 2006 for estimated US$4 billion. Held on to Goodwood Group of Hotels, which includes Singapore's Goodwood Park, run by daughter Mavis; daughter Elizabeth also runs a hotel in Singapore. New US$55 million medical school family funded opens this month.

3. Kuok Khoon Hong
(Up) US$3.5 billion PALM OIL
60. Married, 4 children
Heads world's largest palm oil firm, Wilmar International. Stock up 70% in past year due to strong sales and expansion in China. Considering listing Chinese business in Hong Kong. Shareholding restructuring revealed his stake to be 12%, more than previously estimated.

4. Kwee Brothers
(New) US$3.2 billion REAL ESTATE
Four brothers share ownership of privately held Pontiac Land, property developer and hotel operator that owns Singapore's Ritz-Carlton, the Regent, two office towers near Marina Bay, among others. Recently opened 6-star hotel, the Capella, on Sentosa. Kwees have four corner offices on same floor and hold meetings in middle conference room. Oldest brother Kwee Liong Keng, 64, is managing director of Pontiac Land and was recently appointed Singapore's Non-Resident Ambassador to Poland. Kwee Liong Tek, 63, who is chairman, is an avid art collector, decorating properties with works by Roy Lichtenstein, Frank Stella. Met his wife, daughter of Japanese-American entrepreneur who founded Kenwood Electronics and Mikasa, at UC, Berkeley.

5. Wee Cho Yaw
(Down) US$3.1 billion BANKING
80. Married, 5 children
Chairs United Overseas Bank, one of Singapore's largest lenders. Stock has doubled since March low. Son Wee Ee Cheong is UOB's chief executive. Nearly a third of family's fortune comes from real estate holdings including stake in UOL Group, which Wee also chairs.

6. Zhong Sheng Jian
(Up) US$2 billion REAL ESTATE
49. Married
China-born Zhong's wealth recovered this year, owing to big increase in his high-end residential property business back in the motherland. Net profit at Singapore-listed Yanlord Land for the first 6 months of 2009 increased by 51%.

7. Peter Lim
(Up) US$1.5 billion INVESTMENTS
56. Married, 2 children
Former stockbroker, now full-time investor gets bulk of fortune from stake in Wilmar, started by former client Kuok Khoon Hong (No 3). Other stakes in fashion retailer FJ Benjamin, brewery restaurant Brewerkz.

8. Kwek Leng Beng
(Unchanged) US$1.2 billion DIVERSIFIED
68. Married, 2 children
His Hong Leong Finance hit with biggest penalty of 10 banks penalised by Singapore's central bank in July for selling Lehman Brothers structured notes, though the bank covered many losses. City Developments, property firm he chairs, reported rise in last quarter's profits for first time in more than a year; stock up 50% in past year. Kwek is bullish, making deals again. Shares fortune with siblings.

9. Lee Seng Wee
(Up) US$800 million BANKING
78. Married
Former chairman of Singapore's Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp, still sits on board. Fortune up because it now includes his brother Lee Seng Tee's OCBC holdings.

10. Ong Beng Seng & Christina Ong
(Up) US$700 million DIVERSIFIED
65, 61. Married, 2 children
One of Singapore's most influential couples, now listed here together. Ong, a Malaysian citizen, is managing director of Hotel Properties, which includes Four Seasons, Hard Rock hotels in Southeast Asia; also owns rights to Singapore Grand Prix. Just became nation's only official Ferrari dealer. His wife runs Como Hotels & Resorts, retail empire Club 21; also owns a yoga studio, health food store. Couple also has stakes in steel outfit NSL and Kuo International, founded by her late father Peter Fu Yun Siak.

11. Lien Family
(Up) US$690 million BANKING
Late banker, hotelier Lien Ying Chow, left almost half his UOB shares to a foundation and the rest to his family, including his wife Margaret, her stepchildren and her step-grandchildren. Former head of Lien Foundation, Margaret, 67, continues to be executor of late husband's estate and has biggest personal stake, worth US$130 million.

12. Tan Boy Tee
(Down) US$650 million SHIPPING
60. Married, 2 children
Sold his barge operator Labroy Marine to Dubai Drydocks World last year. Has since invested in textile firm China Taisan Technology;water purification outfit Memstar Technology.

13. Chang Yun Chung
(Up) US$640 million SHIPPING
91. Married, 14 children
Founder of Pacific International Lines, with 103 vessels one of Asia's biggest shipowners; it has large stake in Singamas Container Holdings. Malaysian citizen has lived in Singapore for decades. Fortune up largely from adding children's shares, including those of Teo Siong Seng, who runs daily operations and is an appointed member of Parliament.

14. Peter Fu Chong Cheng
(New) US$570 million DIVERSIFIED
Heads Kuo International, founded by his late father, with interests in oil, trading, real estate. Also has stakes in brother-in-law Ong Beng Seng's (No 10) Hotel Properties and NSL. Fortune includes smaller stakes belonging to brother David and sister Juanita.

15. Ho Sim Guan
(Down) US$470 million BANKING
82. Married
Former UOB executive and his children still have stake in the bank; also in Malaysian brewers.

16. Chua Thian Poh
(Up) US$450 million REAL ESTATE
61. Married, 4 children
Heads Ho Bee Investment, which specialises in high-end residential projects in Singapore, London, Shanghai. Donated US$3 million to National Technology University. Chairs Business China Singapore, which supports Singaporean entrepreneurs in China. Includes brother's stake in Ho Bee.

17. Kwek Leng Kee
(Unchanged) US$430 million DIVERSIFIED
54.
Inherited stake in Hong Leong Group from father, one of 4 brothers who founded firm. Cousin of Kwek Leng Beng (No 8) and Kwek Leng Peck (No 32) shares fortune with his siblings.

18. Henry Ng
(Up) US$420 million DIVERSIFIED
51. Married, 4 children
He and three younger siblings, through trusts and directly, own majority of Pan United, country's largest cement, concrete supplier founded by their father Ng Kar Cheong. Henry just resigned as deputy chairman; brother Patrick is chief executive; sisters Bee Bee, Jane sit on company's board. Sold their shipping firm Pan-United Marine to Dubai Drydocks in 2007.

19. Vivian Chandran
(Up) US$370 million MARINE FUEL
Widow, 2 children
Widow of late Robert Chandran, who founded Chemoil, one of world's largest providers of marine fuel; family said to be trying to sell its stake. Meanwhile, she and daughter Sharon are non-executive directors. Chandran is also president, owner of Franklin Baker, which makes coconut products.

20. Koh Wee Meng
(Up) US$360 million REAL ESTATE
46. Married, 1 child
Heads Fragrance Group. Wife Lim Wan Looi is a non-executive director.

21. Olivia Lum
(Up) US$350 million WATER TREATMENT
48. Single
Hyflux, water-treatment firm she heads, agreed in July to team up with Libyan government to build one of world's largest desalination plants, in Tripoli. Orphan, learned to weld so she could build her first water-treatment projects.

22. Chew Hua Seng
(Down) US$325 million EDUCATION
55. Married, 4 children
Heads Raffles Education, Asia's largest education group with three universities, 26 colleges. Net profit fell 48% in fiscal 2009, in part due to costs associated with opening three new schools in China, one in Indonesia and two in India, where it has joint venture with Educomp, India's largest education firm. It is one of five companies in Singapore to make Best Under a Billion.

23. Simon Cheong
(Up) US$310 million REAL ESTATE
52. Married, 3 children
High-end residential property developer bought up nearly eight million shares in his SC Global Developments last September as stock plunged; it recently hit a 52-week high. Developing beachfront villas in Sentosa. Recently reelected president of the Real Estate Developers Association of Singapore.

24. Ow Chio Kiat
(Down) US$305 million HOTELS
64. Married, 2 children
Australian hotel firm, Stamford Land, which he chairs, hit by global recession, weak Australian dollar; profits fell 69% for year ending in March. Stock has rebounded from low but still off 52-week high. Ow is also chairman of Singapore Shipping and Cougar Logistics. Collector has more than a dozen rare cars, 1,000 bottles of wine.

25. Cheng Wai Keung
(Up) US$300 million REAL ESTATE
58. Married, 3 children
Chairman of Wing Tai Holding, property, hospitality, retail firm that he and three brothers inherited. Older brother Christopher is chairman of USI Holdings, family's Hong Kong holding company that owns one of UK's oldest menswear brands Gieves & Hawkes.

26. Ho Kwon Ping
(Down) US$270 million HOTELS
57. Married, 3 children
Celebrating 15th anniversary of his Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts. Opened first North American resort in Mexico in March; it now manages or has interests in 25 resorts and hotels, 68 spas in 23 countries. Born in Hong Kong, former journalist studied in Taiwan and the US; attended Stanford University.

27. Tan Pong Tyea
(New) US$265 million OIL SERVICES
61. Married, 2 children
Heads oil and gas services firm Falcon Energy Group, which went public through a reverse takeover; now trying to move listing to main board of Singapore Exchange. Has been in industry for more than two decades.

28. Lee Kian Soo
(Down) US$260 million OIL SERVICES
64. Married
Stock of oil and gas services firm Ezra Holdings, which he co-founded with wife and is now run by his son, is down slightly in past year but has more than quadrupled since October low.

29. Yao Hsiao Tung
(Up) US$255 million MANUFACTURING
69. Married
His Hi-P International makes plastic, metal, mechanical components for RIM and others.

30. Ng Chwee Cheng
(Down) US$250 million CRANES
77. Married, 14 children
Founded Tat Hong, one of Asia's largest crane manufacturers with stakes in Chinese and Australian firms.Venture fund AIF Capital invested US$65 million in it in August. Shares fortune with children, including son Roland, who is chief executive.

31. Loo Choon Yong
(Up) US$235 million HEALTH CARE
60. Married, 2 children
His Raffles Medical, which he co-founded, got boost from swine flu scare. Profits up 14% in second quarter, sales up 6.5%. Medical doctor, lawyer is group's chairman. Appointed MP and Singapore's Non-Resident Ambassador to Italy.

32. Kwek Leng Peck
(Unchanged) US$220 million DIVERSIFIED
53. Married
He and siblings inherited stake in Hong Leong Group from father Kwek Hong Leong, who cofounded business with fathers of Kwek Leng Beng (No 8) and Kwek Leng Kee (No 17).

33. Oei Hong Leong
(Down) US$200 million INVESTMENTS
61. Married, 4 children
Embroiled in a lawsuit with Citibank. Prior to that Oei had made news when he bought, then sold shares of troubled US insurer AIG at 177% gain in October and donated the profits to the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

34. John Chuang
(Up) US$190 million COCOA
61. Married, 2 children
Petra Foods, which he owns, runs with his brothers, opened its eighth cocoa-processing plant, in Hamburg, Germany, this June. One of world's largest makers of cocoa, supplies big candy companies like Nestlé, Mars. Sells own chocolate under such brands as Delfi Top.

35. Goh Lik Tuan
(Unchanged) US$175 million ELECTRONICS
57. Married, 2 children
Since selling his electronic manufacturer firm GES International to Wong Ngit Liong's (No 39) Venture Corp in 2006, has invested in a few technology firms.

36. Sunny George Verghese
(Up) US$170 million COMMODITIES
49. Married, 2 children
Indian-born UK citizen has lived in Singapore for more than a decade running Olam, the agricultural products export business he started for Kewalram Chanrai Group in 1989. Has 5% stake in company, now one of the world's largest suppliers of cashews, cocoa, rice, cotton, and teak with operations in 60 countries. Group has made two acquisitions in past six months.

37. Brian Chang
(Down) US$160 million SHIPPING
66. Married, 3 children
Fortune down US$400 million after deal to sell 30% of his Yantai Raffles shipyard to Chinese company fell through; ended up selling just 10% at a 60% discount to original deal. Stock has dropped 50% in past year.

38. Victor Sassoon
(Down) US$150 million RETAIL
52. Married, 5 children
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, which he runs with brother Sunny, still expanding despite slowing sales, tighter margins. Opened 100 stores last year; now has more than 700 in North America, Australia, Asia and the Middle East. Owns Indonesian watch retailer Time International, sole franchisee of Fossil watches in that country.

39. Wong Ngit Liong
(Down) US$140 million MANUFACTURING
68. Married
Contract manufacturer Venture Corp which he heads, saw revenues up 17% in second quarter, but stock still down 13% since last year. Fulbright scholar got start at Hewlett-Packard.

40. Tay Liam Wee
(New) US$135 million WATCHES
50.
Sold 50% stake in family business Sincere Watch in early 2008 to Hong Kong watch retailer and distributor Peace Mark at a market high. Peace Mark ran into financial problems and now Sincere is being sold. Tay considering bidding with other investors to buy it back.