Malaysian media, telecoms and oil mogul Ananda Krishnan has died at age 86, his firms reported on Thursday. No explanation for dying was disclosed.

Krishnan based Malaysia’s second-largest cellular operator, Maxis Bhd, and the dominant broadcasting and media firm Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd.

He additionally held a considerable stake in oil subject providers supplier Bumi Armada Bhd by way of Objektif Bersatu and funding agency Usaha Tegas.

Earlier this 12 months, Forbes calculated that his internet value amounted to some $5 billion, making him the third richest individual within the nation. He’s survived by two daughters and a son, who has just lately attracted vital media consideration for turning into a Buddhist monk, and forgoing a large fortune.

“It’s with nice disappointment that we announce the demise of our chairman, T Ananda Krishnan, who handed away peacefully on Nov 28.

“He has made vital contributions to nation-building and the company world, and his philanthropic initiatives have touched many lives. We humbly ask that the household’s needs to mourn in personal be revered,” Usaha Tegas stated in a press release.

Krishnan was born right into a center class household in Brickfields and educated at Harvard Enterprise College. He made a fortune in oil after which one other in playing, earlier than increasing into media and telecoms. His pursuits embrace Southeast Asia regional pay-TV big Astro; Malaysia’s main telephone operator, Maxis; satellite tv for pc operator MEASAT; U.Ok. newspaper group Johnston Press; Malaysia’s second-largest cinema chain, TGV; and Celestial Photos, the corporate constructed on the Shaw Brothers Movie Library that additionally provides a stake within the CTE channels bouquet.

In each 2017 and 2018 Krishnan was listed on Selection‘s checklist of 500 strongest media sorts. Regardless of his wealth and affect he was identified for studiously avoiding private publicity and the media limelight.

He additionally owned Aircel, a now-bankrupt telephone firm that after sponsored Indian Premier League (IPL) crew Chennai Tremendous Kings.