Five Malaysian on Asiamoney list of influential businessmen

Malaysia took five places in Asiamoney’s 2007 annual list of the 100 most influential people in business and finance across Asia-Pacific. The rankings and standings are as follows:

36. Mohamad Hassan Marican, Chairman of Petronas
He is well-respected and considered a crucial voice in energy policy-making, having headed Malaysia's biggest company and overseen the country's oil and gas reserves for over a decade. It constitutes a vital role in the country, helping to keep oil prices affordable and sourcing more discoveries of oil and gas for the country. He plays a vital role in ensuring that the company keeps its huge cash reserves for its own use.

57. Zeti Akhtar Aziz, Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia
Appointed acting governor during the height of the Asian financial crisis, she oversaw the introduction of Malaysia's then controversial, but successful exchange rate controls. Officially made governor in 2000, the 60-year-old is respected for her calm yet assertive rule. She has been involved in the consolidation process for Malaysia's banking system and the development of Islamic finance domestically and internationally. She has also been instrumental in establishing common standards for Shariah (Islamic law) compliance.

73. Nazir Razak, CEO of CIMB Group
Malaysia's top investment banker has helped CIMB to grow into the country's second largest financial services conglomerate. In 2005, CIMB acquired Bumiputra-Commerce Bank, which has been merged with Southern Bank. The 41-year old, whose father was Malaysia's second prime minister, admits his family name has opened doors but says it's what you do after the door is opened that counts. His challenge is to instill CIMB's performance culture across the whole group

79. Ananda Krishnan, Founder of Maxis Communications
The 69-year-old has built an empire ranging from entertainment, mobile telecoms, oil, power and shipping to property. Forbes estimated his worth at US$7.4 billion this year. He and a group of shareholders bought the remaining 41% in his flagship Maxis Communications for RM17 billion (US$4.85 billion) this year to take the company private. But Saudi Telecom spent US$3 billion to become a quarter shareholders soon after, leaving observers wondering what's next for Krishnan.

89. Tony Fernandes, Founder and CEO of AirAsia
In just five years he has built his no-frills airline into a global brand. A British-trained accountant, he is admired by peers for succeeding without government connections or family wealth. AirAsia carried an estimated 18 million passengers this year. Now he is set to launch long-haul budget carrier AirAsia X. He is also aiming to expand into budget hotels, a low-cost mobile phone operation and no-frills financial products service.

In compiling the list, Asiamoney conducted extensive research and sought the opinions of leading bankers, analysts and market observers across Asia. To be considered, candidates have to be predominantly based in Asia and politicians are banished, but several regulators and central bank governors remain. Rankings are based on the following weighted criteria: the ability to impact directly financial markets across Asia and the world; the power to influence domestic markets; innovation and the ability to break new ground; and personality and potential as a role model.

This year the poll reflects the rise of India; Ratan Tata top the list and Mukesh Ambani, who came fourth.

China remains the best represented nation, with 15, down one from last year. It is now Jiang Jiemin, who in May took over as head of China National Petroleum Corp., who is highest placed at seven, with central bank governor Zhou Xiaochuan falling to 14. The country's best new entry at 12 is Lou Jiwei, who is tasked with running China Investment Corp. and on whose shoulders a deal of national prestige rests.
As the world's second largest economy, Japan enjoys 13 representatives for 2007, same as last year. But Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui has fallen 10 places to 13, largely due to his likely retirement in March.

One again, only three women make the grade, and they are unchanged: Ho Ching, head of Singapore's state investment agency Temasek, drops one to number three; Hu Xiaolian, of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, rises two to 15; and Malaysian central bank governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz falls 21 places to 57, not so much because of waning influence but rather the emergence of more prominent players.

Australia figures strongly with 12 names headed by Allan Moss of Macquarie Bank. He raises an impressive 26 places to number two as the bank's business model continues to vex rivals.

Hong Kong also has 11 representatives and sees last year's winner, billionaire Li Ka-shing, shunted down to fifth place overall.

Singapore, boasts eight entrants, while South Korea has seven and Taiwan's top tycoons and bankers bagged six spots. The Philippines took three places, Indonesia had two, Thailand received one following a year to forget and Macau gained another, where Lawrence Ho supplants his father Stanley. Notably, Pakistan and Vietnam are represented for the first time, with one apiece. The ranking are as follows:

1. Ratan Tata
Chairman of Tata Group
2. Allan Moss
Chairman of Macquarie Bank
3. Ho Ching
CEO of Temasek
4. Mukesh Ambani
Chairman of Reliance Industries
5. Li Ka-shing Nicknamed 'Superman' in Hong Kong
Chairman of Cheung Kong Holdings

6. Lee Shau Kee
Chairman of Henderson Land Development
Also chairman of Hong Kong and China Gas Company

7. Jiang Jiemin
Chairman of China National Petroleum Corp.

8. Lee Kun hee
Chairman of Samsung Group

9. Chen Yuan
Governor of China Development Bank

10. Yaga Venugopal Reddy
Governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI)