Malaysia’s premier international recognition platform, The Knights Award, proudly presents its fifth season, “A World of Influence.” The highly anticipated Ennoblement Ceremony that took place recently at the prestigious PETRONAS Philharmonic Hall, PETRONAS Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, welcoming distinguished leaders, diplomatic representatives, international personalities, entrepreneurs, and outstanding organisations from around the globe.
Founded by Malaysian entrepreneur Dr. Zyro Wong, The Knights Award celebrates exceptional achievers and organisations for their remarkable contributions across diverse industries. Since its inception, the platform has recognised over 200 outstanding achievers globally and has built an expanding international network involving participants from more than 65 countries.
The ceremony is honoured to welcome YAB Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, as its distinguished Guest of Honour, alongside High Commissioners, Ambassadors, diplomatic representatives, and internationally recognised personalities.
A World of Influence: Malaysia Connecting the World
The theme “A World of Influence” reflects The Knights Award’s commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s international presence through global recognition, diplomatic engagement, cultural exchange, and cross-border collaboration. Proudly founded and hosted in Malaysia, the platform serves as a meeting point where international influence converges, meaningful relationships develop, and strategic opportunities emerge.
Season 5 welcomes diplomatic representatives from countries including Singapore, Mauritius, New Zealand, Mexico, Kosovo, Lebanon, Algeria, Jordan, Namibia, South Africa, Colombia, Zambia, Nigeria, Uganda, Afghanistan, and Japan, reflecting its growing international reach.
Beyond an annual recognition ceremony, The Knights Award has evolved into a global ecosystem connecting leaders, entrepreneurs, corporate organisations, innovators, and influential personalities. Through this platform, Malaysia continues to demonstrate its potential as a regional hub for international partnerships, entrepreneurship, creative industries, and meaningful global engagement. Guided by its philosophy, “Bond, Build & Bloom,” The Knights Award encourages meaningful connections, strategic collaboration, and sustainable growth, transforming recognition into opportunities with lasting international impact.
Distinguished Council of Lords
The Knights Award is supported by its distinguished Council of Lords, bringing together respected leaders from business, government, education, entertainment, and professional industries. Led by Dr. Zyro Wong, President of The Knights Award, the council includes distinguished personalities such as YBM Adjunct Prof. Dato’ Sri Raja Rezza Shah Tengku Sri Kelana D’Raja, Y.M. Tengku Dato’ Dr. Hishammuddin Zaizi, Professor Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Ghauth Jasmon, Dato’ Aaron Aziz, Dato’ Sasikala Devi Subramaniam, and Dr. Kishva Ambigapathy, among other respected industry leaders. Through its collective expertise and international networks, the council contributes to strengthening the platform’s credibility, fostering collaboration, and supporting the development of future leaders.
A Gathering of International Icons and Influential Personalities
Season 5 brings together an impressive assembly of prominent personalities whose achievements and influence have transcended geographical boundaries. Among the notable personalities featured are:
- David Chiang 姜大卫 (Hong Kong) – A legendary actor and director with over six decades in entertainment, celebrated for his iconic martial arts performances, dramatic roles, and enduring influence during Hong Kong cinema’s golden era.
- Zhang Jizhong 张纪中 (China) – Renowned television producer and director behind celebrated adaptations of Jin Yong’s martial arts novels, including The Legend of the Condor Heroes (《射雕英雄传》), Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (《天龙八部》), and The Return of the Condor Heroes (《神雕侠侣》).
- Virginia Lok 乐易玲 (Hong Kong) – Executive Director of Shaw Brothers Holdings Limited; a leading entertainment executive with over four decades of experience, recognised for her contributions to talent development and Hong Kong’s Chinese entertainment industry.
- Linda Chung 钟嘉欣 (Hong Kong) – Beloved actress and singer with over 20 years in entertainment, celebrated for her memorable television performances, musical achievements, and recent Remember concert tour.
- Judika (Indonesia) – One of Indonesia’s most celebrated music icons, renowned for his powerhouse vocals, legendary hits, and widespread influence across Southeast Asia.
- Hubert Wu 胡鸿钧 (Hong Kong) – Singer and actor recognised for his soulful vocals, captivating concerts, and memorable television performances.
- Firdhaus 菲道尔 (Malaysia) – Malaysian singer-songwriter gaining international recognition across the Mandopop scene through his hit songs and concert tours across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
- Zul Ariffin (Malaysia) – Prominent leading actor known for his powerful screen presence, stunt abilities, and blockbuster films, including Sheriff: Narko Integriti.
- Lyanna Kea (Malaysia / Australia) – Multi-talented actress, host, and digital creator with over 15 million fans worldwide and 3.5 billion YouTube views, recognised for her iconic Aunty Kea character and comedy series Life of Kea.
- Datin Seri Dato’ Nurulhidayah Ahmad Zahid (Malaysia) – Corporate leader and social advocate championing women’s empowerment, community development, and inclusive leadership through entrepreneurship and social initiatives.
- Jack Lim 林德荣 (Malaysia) – Malaysian Chinese entertainment icon whose longstanding career spans radio broadcasting, television hosting, acting, film production, and entrepreneurship.
- Zung Ninja (Malaysia) – Internationally recognised photographer celebrated for his distinctive visual storytelling and portraits of global leaders and prominent international personalities.
- Edison Ang 马来堂哥 (Malaysia) – Renowned durian ambassador of Malaysia.
Their diverse achievements highlight the international influence represented by The Knights Award while showcasing Malaysia’s ability to bring distinguished global personalities together on one prestigious platform.
Among the notable corporates featured are:
- Target Media (China) – One of the world’s largest elevator media groups, with operations spanning 17 countries worldwide. It operates more than 15,000 digital screens across major Malaysian cities.
- Village Park Restaurant (Malaysia) – The most iconic nasi lemak restaurant in Malaysia, with over 10,000 plates of nasi lemak sold every day.
- AEC Evening Edition (Malaysia) – The most influential Chinese news programme with 20 years of history. Through fact-checking, in-depth reporting, and coverage of community concerns, it connects audiences with the stories that matter across television and digital platforms.
- Utusan Malaysia (Malaysia) – One of Malaysia’s most influential and historic media institutions, with a legacy deeply intertwined with the evolution of society, the Malay language, and nation-building.
- NCT Group (Malaysia) – NCT Group has revitalised communities by rescuing abandoned developments, restoring confidence, and delivering long-awaited properties to buyers. Through its smart industrial parks, the Group is advancing sustainable industrial growth, supporting businesses with modern infrastructure, and strengthening Malaysia’s regional connectivity.
An International Celebration of Artistic Excellence
Beyond the recognition ceremony, Season 5 features an extraordinary showcase of international entertainment, bringing together music, magic, cultural expression, and acrobatic artistry. Featured performers and winners include Indonesian music icon Judika, Hong Kong singer and actor Hubert Wu, Malaysian singer-songwriter Firdhaus, Peruvian vocalist and Spain’s Got Talent semifinalist Benjamin Velasquez, South Korean magician and America’s Got Talent semifinalist Sangsoon Kim, and Hong Kong Jump Rope World Champion Cheung Pak Hung. These performances celebrate artistic excellence while demonstrating how Malaysia continues to connect diverse cultures and international talents through world-class entertainment.
Recognising Excellence Across Industries
The Knights Award recognises outstanding achievers through three distinguished award categories: The Duke, The Earl, and The Baron, honouring individuals and organisations across business, entertainment, innovation, entrepreneurship, professional services, and social contribution.
- The Duke Award represents the highest distinction, recognising extraordinary achievements, exceptional leadership, and enduring contributions that inspire generations.
- The Earl Award honours distinguished individuals and organisations demonstrating remarkable professional achievements, innovation, and sustained industry influence.
- The Baron Award celebrates emerging talents, promising entrepreneurs, and innovative organisations shaping the future through creativity, determination, and entrepreneurial excellence.
Together, these categories recognise established international icons alongside outstanding Malaysian achievers, strengthening the platform’s commitment to celebrating excellence without borders.
Strategic Partners Driving International Excellence
The Knights Award Season 5 extends its sincere appreciation to its distinguished partners and supporters whose commitment contributes to delivering a world-class recognition platform from Malaysia. The official partners include:
- Official Presenter: The Knights Atelier
- Venue Partners: PETRONAS Philharmonic Hall, KLCC and Takun Retreat Club
- Media Partners: ASTRO and New Media Center of Hainan Broadcasting Station
- Powered By: WKV Entertainment
- Automotive Partner: Millennium Motors
- Decorator Partner: Party Eventilicious
- Hospitality Partner: Regal Global
- Residence Partner: Star Suites KLCC
- Legal Advisor: Naqiz & Partners
- Public Relations Partner: Influasia
- Gastronomy Partner: AS I AM
- IT Solutions Partner: TheWebxite
- Production Partner: Aspect Production
- Premium Gift Partner: 3CM
- Engraver Partner: XTool
These partnerships represent the collective strength of Malaysia’s corporate community and its commitment to supporting an internationally recognised platform for excellence and collaboration.
Beyond Recognition: Malaysia’s Growing International Influence
Far more than a one-night celebration, The Knights Award is committed to developing a sustainable international ecosystem that connects exceptional leaders, organisations, and influential personalities across industries and borders. Through strategic networking, international business connections, brand exposure, and cross-border engagement, the platform creates opportunities for Malaysian enterprises to access global networks while encouraging international organisations to explore collaborations within Malaysia.
As The Knights Award enters its fifth season, “A World of Influence” marks another milestone in its mission to strengthen Malaysia’s international presence and demonstrate how a Malaysia-founded initiative can bring together outstanding achievers from across the globe. With 200 achievers recognised and an expanding network involving more than 65 countries, The Knights Award continues to build meaningful bridges between Malaysia and the international community. Guided by “Bond, Build & Bloom,” the platform remains committed to transforming recognition into influence, influence into collaboration, and collaboration into lasting global impact.
The Knights Award Season 5 – A World of Influence: Proudly Founded in Malaysia, Connecting Global Excellence Across Borders.
