Malaysia’s low-key tycoon: the empire of Syed Mokhtar Albukhary

[KUALA LUMPUR] News of a possible listing of MMC Port Holdings, the country’s largest port operator, has thrown the spotlight back on Syed Mokhtar Albukhary – one of Malaysia’s most powerful yet least visible businessmen.

Despite his grip on the country’s infrastructure – from ports and airports to logistics and utilities – the 73-year-old tycoon remains a mystery beyond Malaysian borders as his portfolio is largely anchored at home.

Bloomberg reported recently that MMC has confidentially filed listing documents with regulators aiming to raise as much as US$2 billion, potentially valuing the firm at US$7 billion.