Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Robert Kuok, who relinquished his "Sugar King" crown last year, still tops the list of Malaysia's 40 richest individuals, a Malaysian Business survey showed.

Kuok is worth RM42.76 billion ($17,72 billion) after he added RM16.10 billion to his fortune. Last year, his wealth stood at RM26.6 billion.

Ranking second is telecommunications tycoon Ananda Krishnan with RM27 billion.

IOI Corporation Bhd's Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng is third with a fortune that has more than doubled to RM11.92 billion.

Tan Sri Teh Hong Piow of Public Bank is fourth with RM10.86 billion.

They survey showed that all 40 richest individuals recorded an increase in their fortunes in the past year. This was on the back of a recovery in the stock market.

Collectively, they are now worth RM156.7 billion or 63 per cent more as at Jan 15 compared with RM96.3 billion a year ago.

The benchmark FBM KLCI has risen 44.3 per cent since its last survey as the world strives to get back on its feet following the global financial crisis.

However, their combined wealth is still less than the RM171.9 billion recorded in 2008.

The survey revealed that close to half on this year's list recorded jumps of 50 per cent or more.

There are more billionaires this year - 22, eight more than last year.

In fifth spot is Genting Group's Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, who is valued at RM10.38 billion.

He was 15th richest Malaysian the year before. He assumed a large chunk of the wealth of his late father, Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong, the founder of the gaming giant.

Hong Leong Group's Tan Sri Quek Leng Chan is sixth at RM7.09 billion, up from RM4.54 billion previously.

Ranking seventh is Bumiputera entrepreneur Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary of the Albukhary Foundation. He is valued at RM6.01 billion.

Others in the top 10 are Lim Goh Tong's widow Puan Sri Lee Kim Hua, Tan Sri Tiong Hiew King of the Rimbunan Hijau Group and Tan Sri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun of the Berjaya Group.

There are five newcomers to the list.

They are Lee Swee Eng of KNM Group; brothers Datuk Shahril Shamsuddin and Shahriman Shamsuddin of Sapura Group; Datuk Seri Nazir Razak of CIMB Group and OSK Holdings' Ong Leong Huat who makes a comeback to the list after a one-year absence.

As in previous years, the wealth of the top 40 was assessed based on the value of their stakes in listed companies as at Jan 15.