KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary and AirAsia's head honcho, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, emerged in the Forbes Asia's latest annual Heroes of Philanthropy list.
In a statement today, Forbes Asia said Syed Mokhtar had donated US$500 million to help those devastated by natural disasters in Asia and elsewhere.
"Beneficiaries have included refugees in Pakistan, orphanages in Guinea and rehabilitation programmes for disaster victims in China, Indonesia and Iran," it said.
Meanwhile, Fernandes through his AirAsia Foundation had raised more than US$2 million for survivors of November’s Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines to rebuild housing and help people start convenience stores in their homes.
Among other honoraries was India's Rohini Nilekani, who had given roughly US$40 million over the years.
She set up Arghyam Trust, which supports projects to protect groundwater and improve sanitation in India.
"She has also donated funds raised from the sale of her Infosys shares to causes such as improving the quality of India’s laws and preserving biodiversity," said Forbes Asia.
Heroes of Philanthropy list highlighted 48 of the Asia-Pacific region's notable philanthropists ranging from billionaires with expansive visions of how best to help society to less well-known business people.
The list also pays tribute to these leading givers, four each from 12 markets across the Asia-Pacific region.--BERNAMA