Talented master of ceremonies (MCs) would be able to work a crowd and capture everyone’s attention while livening up the atmosphere during events. These masters of ceremonies have also hosted many events, locally and internationally. Having vast experience as an emcee, these versatile hosts are able to showcase their talents onstage and keep the interest level of the audience high while ensuring the smooth flow of the event. Here, Top 10 of Malaysia shares its list of the country’s top ten MCs (listed in no particular order) who are multi-talented in more ways than one.
Jocelyn Lim
Jocelyn Lim, or more fondly known as MC JO by many, is well-known for her engaging, humorous and vibrant personality. She has always given the audience an enjoyable and memorable time. Her notable emceeing skill has inspired her to transform someone who is shy to someone who can shine brilliantly on stage. Besides appearing frequently on stage for various local or international events, she coaches regularly in her own MC JO Academy Emcee Training Centre. Jocelyn is no ordinary emcee as she has a special gift to help others speaking confidently. Many has found their passion in speaking as she is able to capture her audience with her charm and establishing trust in the process while building their confidence. Her well-known quote is “Do what you love and love what you do.” With the power of love, Jocelyn believes one can achieve anything.
Shaun Stephen
Born and bred in the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur, Shaun Stephen was gifted with the gift of gab from an early age. Only later did he realised that standing on the stage in front of a crowd with a microphone in his hand was going to be his true calling. The passion for hosting shows started when he was studying in college and was exposed to the wonderful world of performance and entertainment. Since then he has never looked back. Versatile, unique and energetic. These are the three words that best describe Shaun Stephen. He is versatile and adaptable to any form or theme of the event, be it formal or casual. He has a unique voice that is distinctive and recognizable. And most importantly, Shaun is able to communicate energy and excitement in his voice and execution, which resonates with the type of atmosphere of the show. With more than 12 years of experience under his belt, Shaun Stephen has hosted numerous events both locally and internationally. From formal to government-related events to fun and exhilarating corporate annual dinners as well as engaging roadshows, he is one of the most sought-after hosts for new and existing clients.
Daphne Iking
Daphne Iking is a multi-talented award-winning actress and TV host who has worked across various forms of media as a broadcaster, writer and social media influencer. She was also TLC Asia’s pioneer host for “Say Yes to The Dress Asia”. The recent pandemic had pushed her to set up a live streaming platform using professional equipment that was built by her and her husband within the safe confinement of her home during the lockdown. Some of the notable emceeing gigs include the World Islamic Economic Forum in Dubai and the 27th ASEAN Summit. She is a dedicated child-rights activist, who tirelessly raise awareness on child-rights violations in Malaysia and mechanisms to support children’s rights. Daphne was a motivational speaker for numerous NGOs, learning institutes and has been invited to speak on 2 TedX talks. She is a member and volunteer for the Women’s Aid Organisation, a shelter for abused women and children and is the Ambassador for the Vaseline’s Healing Project bringing medical attention to the underprivileged and vulnerable communities. She campaigned for Members of the Parliament to agree on passing the Sexual Offences against Children Act 2017 and is currently finding ways to end the plight of statelessness in Malaysia, focusing on foundlings as well as finding ways to build on the political will of the Government and stakeholders to resolve this issue especially in Sabah.
William Lee
Blessed with the gift of gab in various languages, a commanding voice, charming personality and suave looks, William possesses the qualities of a desirable emcee. William is a former national TV Host and radio DJ who has emceed and hosted over 4,000 live shows in more than 10 countries, with crowds ranging from 50 to 10,000 people. A true master of his craft, his passion has brought him to Brunei, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, China, Australia, South Africa and Canada. William is also extremely versatile, spontaneous and entertaining. Be it a prim and proper networking reception with the presence of high profile captains of industry, the launching of a government campaign graced by royalties and ministers, or an anniversary celebration with management and staff, William never ceased to amaze with his knowledge of the respective protocol, and great sense of camaraderie with the audience.
Terrence Dass
Terrence Dass is a very well-known and established master of ceremonies in the industry not just in Malaysia but within the ASEAN region as well including Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore. Terrence is vastly experienced in emceeing, television and radio hosting besides doing voice-overs. He is well-versed in English and Bahasa Melayu. He is a regular TV host on Malaysia’s longest running live morning talk show ‘Selamat Pagi Malaysia’. He is a specialist in high protocol events from hosting global leaders and royalties, to churning out fun for the crowds at cultural festivals and marathon runs. Terrence also received the Anugerah Mangku Negara from YDP Agong in 2020.
Cheryl Samad
Cheryl started performing at the tender age of four, when she was spotted and casted in a Magnolia commercial and she has been doing this ever since. After being on a hiatus since 2009, she starred in The Bridge, a television drama inspired by a Scandinavian series. A law graduate from Universiti Malaya, she is best known for hosting Malaysian Idol 2, Muzik-Muzik, Nescafe Kickstart and MTV Pulse. Her well known television series are Each Other, Frontpage and Ghost. She has also starred in the musical Dreamgirls at Istana Budaya in 2011. In 2019, Cheryl and her husband, producer Ng Ping Ho run a stylish new hotel in Jalan Bukit Bintang – the KLoe Hotel, a boutique hotel that prides itself as “a home for the creative and curious”.
Will Quah
William Quah, more fondly known as Will Quah has been a familiar face and voice in the Malaysian entertainment scene for over 6 years. Starting out with a number of TV Commercials, he soon made the move to TV, working on two seasons of TV2 first English Music Chart Show, Star Trax. While there, he began picking up the skills necessary to make magic off camera as well, trying his hand at scriptwriting, directing and producing. Beside overseeing the production of shows in both English and Malay, Will was also hosting over 3 hours of live TV a day, making him Malaysia’s most prolific presenter. Some of his notable emceeing gigs includes Miss Malaysia World, Miss Malaysia Universe, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Awards, Anugerah Pergana Menteri, KL Fashion Week, Malaysian International Fashion Week, Bursa Malaysia Financial Assembly, and numerous brand and product launches, corporate dinners, government functions, fashion and entertainment events and awards ceremonies.
Joanne de Rozario
Joanne de Rozario is a producer and TV presenter who works both in Malaysia and Singapore. A self-confessed “news junkie” and an avid F1 fan, she worked as a reporter with The New Straits Times and later did an internship with CBS affiliate station KJEO 47 On Your Side before graduating. When she is not in front of the camera or behind a desk, Joanne continues to record voiceovers and host events for various clients including BMW, Mercedes Benz, Sepang International Circuit, The Star, LG and Nikon. As a presenter, Joanne has anchored The Link on Li TV, Ntv7’s 7 News and The Breakfast Show, TV3’s Bizworld and Nightline as well as numerous special current affairs presentations and sporting events, including the Asian X-Games and the F1 World Championship. Joanne has hosted numerous events, including Women’s Weekly Great Women of Our Time Awards, BMW F1 Paddock Lounge, Brands Pure Essence Brand Ambassador launch, Malaysian Business magazine launch and Merdeka Youth Music Celebration.
Oliver Kwan
With over 12 years of emcee experience, Oliver Kwan is no stranger to hosting local and international events such as wedding receptions and corporate dinners. In addition, he is also multilingual who speaks well in English, Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin and Cantonese. Some of his notable portfolios include international wedding hosting in Australia, Ayana Resort & Spa Bali and JW Marriott Singapore South Beach. International corporate hosting includes Shanghai, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and Cambodia. On top of that, Kwan has been emceeing for the Malaysia Airlines Awards Night 6 consecutive years. Some of his reputable corporate clients are Petronas, HSBC, SONY, OPPO, SHARP and etc. His journey as an emcee started during his schooling days where he was elected as the master of ceremonies during events. Event companies actually hired him to host their clients’ annual dinners during college days and he did it as his part time jobs during weekends. He then studied in the UK in year 2007 and obtained his Bachelor Degree in Commerce. In 2008 he came back to Malaysia and started his full-time emcee and event business.
Melvin Aeria
No stranger to the corporate and lifestyle events industry and with 27 years of experience under his belt, Melvin Aeria is one of the most dynamic and experienced emcees in Malaysia. Hosting 2 to 4 events every week, Melvin is most well-known for his energetic and vibrant style of hosting corporate events, and his ability to engage with audiences of all levels, making him a very much sought-after emcee by companies and corporations in all industries. Melvin has hosted events in the presence of kings and sultans, prime ministers, ministers, industry captains and corporate tycoons in his audience. With his proficiency in bantering in multiple Asian and European languages, Melvin is regularly engaged by MNCs across the Asian region for their regional and global level events. Residing now out of Malaysia and Singapore, Melvin has hosted events in over 60 cities in some 30 countries across 5 continents globally, and still counting.
