Malaysian billionaire Ananda Krishnan has died, company says

Malaysian businessman and philanthropist Ananda Krishnan attends the first day of the annual Allen and Co. media conference Sun Valley

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian billionaire Ananda Krishnan, whose empire included businesses from telecommunications to oil and gas, has died, his private investment firm Usaha Tegas said on Thursday.

"He has made significant contributions to nation building and the corporate world; and his philanthropic initiatives have touched many lives," the company said in a statement.

"We humbly ask that the family's wishes to mourn in private be respected."

(Reporting by Rozanna Latiff and Danial Azhar; Editing by Martin Petty)