Robert Kuok is the richest man in Malaysia. He owns Kuok group, which has interests in hotels, real estate and commodities. He founded the internationally renowned Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts chain in Singapore in 1971. His nephew Kuok Khoon Hong runs Wilmar International, in which Kuok has a valuable stake. Robert Kuok's youngest son Kuok Khoon Hua is CEO and vice chairman of Hong Kong property company Kerry Properties.