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Rising Healthcare Costs and Chronic Health Risks Highlight Need for Preventive Care, Alpro Introduces CarePass

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New RM99 annual healthcare pass offers Malaysians access to preventive health services worth over RM600, encouraging earlier health monitoring and intervention

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 May 2026 – As healthcare costs continue to rise and chronic health risks become more prevalent, many Malaysians are still delaying essential healthcare, not because they are unaware of its importance, but because access, affordability and convenience remain key barriers.

From Left: Aud. Afifah Binti Ahmad Kamely (Audiologist, Alpro Audiologi); Ms Eleen Thum Gak Gak (Director of Alpro Optisaver); Dr. Jessica Kaur Moti A/P Amarjet Singh (Doctor In Charge, Alpro Telehealth); Dr. Ng Ming Lee (Medical Director, Alpro Clinic); Ph. Then Ru Luen (Founder of CarePass and Director of Alpro Health); Ms Elsie Low (General Manager of Powerlife Malaysia); Ph. Ng Yi Ling (Professional Care and Development Manager, Alpro Pharmacy); Pt. Eugene Siow (Chief Physiotherapist, Alpro Physio)

According to the Ministry of Health Malaysia, out-of-pocket expenses accounted for 37% of total healthcare funding in 2022, making it one of the largest sources of healthcare financing in the country. Meanwhile, findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023 showed that 12.9% of Malaysians avoided seeking medical treatment due to financial constraints.

This is especially concerning as Malaysia continues to face a growing burden of chronic health conditions. Previous national findings have shown that one in five Malaysian adults are living with diabetes, reinforcing the importance of early detection, regular screening and consistent health monitoring.

While Malaysians are increasingly encouraged to take charge of their health earlier, proactive health monitoring often comes with additional upfront costs. Individuals who choose to screen early and more comprehensively may end up paying more simply because they are trying to prevent health issues before they happen.

Together, these trends highlight a widening gap in preventive healthcare. While services such as blood screening, vaccination, vision checks, hearing assessments and physiotherapy support are available, many individuals may not prioritise them until symptoms appear or conditions become more serious.

In response, Alpro Health, the corporate wellness arm of Alpro Group that supports organisations and communities in improving health and well-being, has introduced CarePass, an annual healthcare pass designed to simplify access to essential preventive healthcare services and encourage Malaysians to take a more proactive approach to managing their health.

Priced at RM99 per year, CarePass gives users access to a comprehensive range of preventive healthcare services worth over RM600, including a complete essential blood screening package, flu vaccination, eye screening for glaucoma risk with optometrist review and eye health supplement for daily eye health support, comprehensive hearing test with audiologist consultation, physiotherapy neck and back relief therapy, unlimited online doctor consultation, personal accident protection coverage, and basic dental screening and oral health advice, which will be introduced soon.

By consolidating multiple healthcare services into one annual pass, CarePass aims to reduce the cumulative cost of preventive care by up to 80%, while making health monitoring more structured, accessible, and convenient for individuals and families. More importantly, the initiative is designed to provide Malaysians with a stronger reason to take action earlier, before minor health concerns develop into more complex conditions.

“At the ground level, we often see patients seeking care only after their conditions have progressed,” said Then Ru Luen, Founder of CarePass and Director of Alpro Health. “Many of these situations could have been managed earlier with timely screening, monitoring and professional advice. The challenge today is not only awareness, but accessibility, affordability and having a meaningful push for people to take the first step. CarePass was created to make preventive care easier, more comprehensive and more valuable, so more Malaysians can take action before health problems become more serious.”

The initiative is supported by Alpro Group’s integrated healthcare ecosystem, which brings together services across Alpro Pharmacy, Alpro Clinic, Alpro Physio, Alpro Audiologi and Alpro OptiSaver. Through this connected network, CarePass users are able to access multidisciplinary healthcare support in a more convenient and coordinated manner.

CarePass is designed for individuals and families who want a more affordable and structured way to monitor their health, especially those who may otherwise delay screenings, consultations or early interventions due to cost, time or complexity.

The service is now available at Alpro Pharmacy outlets nationwide and can be activated via the Alpro App. More information is available on https://carepass.com.my/

As Malaysia continues to face increasing healthcare demands, improving access to preventive care will play a vital role in encouraging earlier intervention, reducing long-term health risks, and supporting better health outcomes for the community.

Hashtag: #Alpro

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Alpro Group

Founded in 2002, Alpro Group’s ecosystem has grown to include Alpro Pharmacy, Apotek Alpro, Alpro スギ (Sugi) Pharmacy, Alpro Physio, Alpro Clinic, Alpro Baby, Alpro OptiSaver, Alpro Audiology, and Alpro Health. Supported by a team of more than 1,000 healthcare professionals, including doctors, pharmacists, nutritionists, dietitians, physiotherapists, optometrist and many others, Alpro serves over 5 million families in Malaysia and Indonesia through its extensive network of 500 physical outlets.

Alpro Pharmacy is the first and only community pharmacy in the region to offer product liability insurance of MYR 1 million in Malaysia and IDR 3 billion in Indonesia, ensuring the supply of genuine medications and enhancing consumer trust.

With the vision of a healthy and vibrant world, Alpro Group aims to become the No. 1 prescription pharmacy chain in Southeast Asia.

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The 7th Cross-Strait Financial Forum and Taiwan-Funded Enterprise Development Forum

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XIAMEN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 Jun 2026 – On June 12, the 7th Cross-Strait Financial Forum and Taiwan-Funded Enterprise Development Forum was held in Xiamen.The event was jointly organized by the Fujian Provincial Financial Regulatory Administration, the Xiamen Municipal Financial Regulatory Administration, and the Association of Taiwan Investment Enterprises on the Mainland, hosted by Xiamen Jinyuan Investment Group, and executed by Jinyuan Uni-President Securities. Under the theme “Three Years of Integration Embarking on a New Journey, United Development Writing a New Chapter,” the forum focused on cross-strait financial cooperation, expanded financing channels for Taiwan-funded enterprises, industrial transformation and upgrading, and financial innovation between Fujian and Taiwan. It aimed to support Fujian’s efforts to accelerate the development of the first-choice home for Taiwan compatriots and Taiwan-funded enterprises on the mainland.

This year’s forum is an important supporting event of the 18th Cross-Strait Forum. During the event, nine Fujian-Taiwan financial integration projects were signed, with a total value of RMB 9.1 billion. The projects cover a wide range of financial services across areas including cross-strait industrial cooperation, water supply security for public welfare, capacity upgrades for long-established Taiwan-funded enterprises, technology and innovation industries, and modern agriculture. These initiatives continue to unlock the benefits of financial policies, promote shared access to financial resources for Taiwan compatriots and Taiwan-funded enterprises, and inject new momentum into industrial integration between Fujian and Taiwan.

At the forum, the Cross-Strait Wealth and Asset Management Cross-Sector Alliance was officially inaugurated. Supported by Jinyuan Group and jointly proposed by its affiliated financial institutions, the alliance was co-founded by Xiamen International Trust, Jinyuan Uni-President Securities, Yuanxin Yongfeng Fund, Fubon Bank (China), Junlong Life Insurance, and Xiamen Chang Gung Hospital, among others. Centered on serving the wealth management and asset management needs of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, the alliance aims to build a one-stop service platform covering asset allocation for Taiwan compatriots and Taiwan-funded enterprises on the mainland, family trusts and wealth succession planning, pension finance, and healthcare protection solutions.

The forum also unveiled a series of innovative financial achievements related to Taiwan. The banking industry’s first group standard dedicated to Taiwan-related financial services on the mainland, the “Specification for Taiwan-Related Financial Services of Banking Financial Institutions,” was officially released. At the same time, the “Bailufen” Taiwan Compatriot Financial Service Platform was introduced, further enhancing financial services for Taiwan compatriots living in Fujian and supporting the development of Taiwan-funded enterprises.

Hashtag: #StraitsFinancialForum

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Verdant Rock Receives BBB+ Long-Term Insurer Financial Strength Rating with a Stable Outlook from Fitch Ratings

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HAMILTON, BERMUDA – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 June 2026 – Verdant Rock Limited has received a BBB+ Long-Term Insurer Financial Strength Rating with a Stable Outlook from Fitch Ratings effective 12 June 2026. Combined with a Class 3B Insurer license from the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA), effective 6 May 2026, the company is in a strong position to extend financial guarantees on bonds and loans in emerging markets for beneficiaries globally. We provide irrevocable, unconditional, on-demand financial guarantees designed to qualify as eligible credit protection under Basel and major insurance solvency regimes. We are focused on private liabilities and do not cover sovereigns, municipalities or provinces. Bonds and loans issued by emerging market corporations and banks, structured financings, asset-backed (ABS) and mortgage-backed (MBS) exposures in securities or loan format, and project finance are all within the Company’s remit.

“The infrastructure and capital markets we are targeting have been systematically underserved over the past decade. Verdant Rock enters this space with an investment grade rating, a strong capital position, the regulatory standing, the technical capability, and the long-term commitment that issuers and their advisers have been unable to find elsewhere.”

— Tolga Uzuner, Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer, Verdant Rock Limited

The Fitch Ratings report can be accessed here:
Fitch Rates Verdant Rock at ‘BBB+’; Outlook Stable

Verdant Rock’s Class 3B registration can be verified via the BMA’s register of regulated entities (search “Verdant Rock”): https://www.bma.bm/regulated-entities

Notes to editors: For the May 2026 licensing announcement, see https://bernews.com/2026/05/walkers-supports-verdant-rock-licensing/

This announcement is (i) for information only; (ii) not an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security, insurance product, or financial guarantee; and (iii) not for distribution in any jurisdiction where to do so would be unlawful. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results, and Verdant Rock undertakes no obligation to update them. A credit rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security and may be subject to revision, suspension or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency.

Hashtag: #VerdantRock

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

ABOUT VERDANT ROCK

Verdant Rock Limited is a Bermuda-based insurance company, regulated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority, providing Basel III and Solvency II compliant financial guarantees in emerging markets, designed to qualify as eligible credit protection under Basel and major insurance solvency regimes, for the benefit of institutions globally.

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TVBS deploys AI translation for NVIDIA GTC Taipei keynote

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TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 June 2026 – TVBS deployed its self-developed real-time AI translation system during NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang’s keynote at GTC Taipei 2026 on June 1. The system delivered near-simultaneous Chinese subtitles that viewers initially mistook for official NVIDIA translations. The in-house technology marked a rare instance of a news organization independently developing live translation for a large-scale broadcast.

TVBS deployed its self-developed real-time AI translation system during NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang’s keynote at GTC Taipei 2026 on June 1.

Online viewers praised the translation quality, with comments including “The quality of this real-time translation is amazing,” “The translation is incredibly fast,” and “The live speech recognition quality is surprisingly good.” Some viewers assumed the subtitles came from NVIDIA’s official translation team.

The achievement demonstrates how Taiwan’s media industry is adapting to AI-driven transformation. TVBS is positioning itself as a leader in integrating proprietary AI development with real-world broadcast applications. The company completed optimization and deployment of the system in just nine days — a process that traditionally requires months of dedicated training, according to Andy Yang, manager of TVBS AI Future Technology Department.

Yang explained that the biggest challenge in real-time translation lies in balancing “content accuracy” with “reading fluency” under extremely tight time constraints. Huang’s speaking style is highly improvisational and frequently switches between English, Mandarin and Taiwanese, while audience applause and cheering often occur simultaneously.

Applying standard off-the-shelf translation software in such an environment would likely result in sentence segmentation errors and unclear semantic interpretation, Yang said. Rather than pursuing “zero-latency” translation at all costs, TVBS designed a subtitle presentation mechanism specifically tailored to the keynote format.

Prior to the event, the TVBS team conducted extensive cross-platform testing on multiple AI translation models, evaluating latency and error rates. By introducing a carefully calibrated broadcast delay, the system gained additional time to process semantic meaning and contextual alignment. This approach enabled smoother subtitles matching natural Chinese reading habits, Yang said.

The team also built a dedicated knowledge base for NVIDIA GTC Taipei, compiling AI industry terminology, product names and technical keywords in advance. This significantly improved translation quality and the accuracy of professional content delivery. TVBS’s real-time translation system can be customized based on different broadcasting scenarios, Yang noted.

Yang emphasized that the key to the rapid nine-day deployment was cross-department collaboration. Engineering teams handled hardware tuning and signal integration, while internal technical and content teams managed ongoing model training and refinement. TVBS established a collaborative workflow integrating both technology and editorial expertise.

Through continuous iteration and adjustment, the team incorporated Taiwanese linguistic nuances and natural Chinese phrasing into the system. This enhanced fluency and readability beyond what generic AI models alone could achieve, ultimately shaping what Yang called a distinct “TVBS AI style.” The approach reflects the company’s “3T” philosophy — Truth, Trust and Technology.

In his keynote at the Taipei Music Center, Huang focused on AI infrastructure, next-generation computing platforms and NVIDIA’s latest technological roadmap. GTC Taipei 2026 attracted significant international attention as AI continues to reshape global industries. Through its own transformation journey, TVBS hopes to help lead Taiwan’s media industry into a new era shaped by AI.

Hashtag: #TVBS

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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