SEMAK KASIH: RM55 Million in Life Insurance and Takaful Benefits Paid to Families and Next of Kin

Payouts from 855 Policies and Certificates Since June 2026; Over 35,000 Malaysians Registered, With More Than 7,000 Potential Matches Identified

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12 (Bernama) -- Life insurance companies and takaful operators in the country have paid out approximately RM55 million in claims benefits under 855 life insurance policies and family takaful certificates, identified through the Semak Kasih portal as at 16 October 2026. This milestone highlights the portal’s role in helping families trace potential unclaimed life insurance and family takaful benefits left behind by deceased loved ones.

Since its launch in June 2026, the centralised coverage checking portal, jointly developed by the Life Insurance Association of Malaysia (LIAM) and the Malaysian Takaful Association (MTA), has registered more than 35,000 users seeking to identify potential life insurance and family takaful benefits belonging to their deceased family members.

To date, Semak Kasih has identified more than 7,000 potential matches and received approximately 3,000 enquiries through its e-mail and call centre channels from members of the public seeking further information and assistance. These responses highlight the growing public interest in tracing potential benefits and the importance of providing families with an accessible avenue to establish whether they may be entitled to benefits under existing life insurance policies or family takaful certificates.

Driving Industry Collaboration and Expanding Public Awareness
LIAM and MTA, together with participating life insurance companies and family takaful operators, are continuing to strengthen the effectiveness of Semak Kasih and expand its reach among Malaysians.

Key efforts include improving the timeliness and accuracy of data uploads, enhancing coordination to address operational matters, and facilitating follow-up on potential matches. Maintaining reliable data and efficient processes is essential to ensuring that the portal provides meaningful information to users.

At the same time, the industry is stepping up public awareness initiatives to encourage more Malaysians to use the portal. These include promotion through industry and company websites, digital communication channels, social media and outreach campaigns. Collaboration with relevant government agencies and other stakeholders will also be explored to expand the portal’s reach.

The continued promotion of Semak Kasih is particularly important in helping families who may be unaware that a deceased family member held a life insurance policy or family takaful certificate.

Encouraging Responsible Policy or Certificate Ownership and Financial Preparedness
In addition to helping families check for potential benefits, the industry is also reinforcing the importance of keeping policy or certificate information and personal records up to date.

Policyholders or Certificate holders are encouraged to review their coverage details, make nominations where appropriate and update nomination information when their circumstances change. Insurance and takaful providers can support these efforts through regular customer engagement, digital reminders and clear guidance during the policy or certificate ownership journey.

These measures complement the objectives of Semak Kasih by promoting greater awareness of financial protection and helping individuals and families better prepare for the future.

A Continued Commitment to Helping Malaysians
According to Chief Executive Officer of LIAM, Mark O’Dell, “the life insurance industry has played an important role in building awareness and strengthening public trust. For over five decades, LIAM has championed greater public understanding of life insurance and its vital role in providing financial protection to Malaysian families against life’s uncertainties”.

“Building public trust goes beyond providing financial protection. It is equally important to ensure that Malaysians understand their coverage, know how to access the benefits available to them, and have confidence that the industry is committed to supporting them and their families.

“Semak Kasih is a meaningful extension of this commitment. By bringing the life insurance and family takaful industry together, we are making it easier for families to trace potential benefits that may otherwise remain undiscovered. We hope this initiative will help ensure that benefits reach those who may be entitled to them.”

Mohd Radzuan Mohamed, Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Takaful Association (MTA), said that the RM55 million payout milestone reflects the meaningful role of financial protection in supporting Malaysian families.

“Behind every takaful certificate or insurance policy is a promise of financial protection for loved ones. Rooted in the spirit of mutual care and shared responsibility, that promise can only fulfil its true purpose when the benefits reach those who are entitled to receive them.

“The RM55 million paid out through cases identified by Semak Kasih is more than just a financial milestone. Behind these benefits are families navigating life after the loss of a loved one. While financial support cannot replace that loss, it can help ease financial burdens and provide some peace of mind during difficult times.

“With over 7,000 potential matches identified, there is an important opportunity to help more families discover benefits they may not even know exist. Our message to Malaysians is simple: if you have lost a loved one, take a few minutes to check Semak Kasih. There may be financial protection left behind for your family. This free service could be the first step towards ensuring that the protection put in place during a loved one’s lifetime fulfils its intended purpose.”

LIAM and MTA encourage Malaysians to visit the Semak Kasih portal to check for potential unclaimed life insurance and family takaful benefits associated with deceased family members.

Where a potential match is identified, users should contact the relevant insurance company or takaful operator for verification and guidance on the necessary documentation and claims process. A match on the portal does not constitute confirmation of an approved claim, as eligibility and payment remain subject to verification by the relevant provider.

Through continued collaboration, operational improvements and public education, LIAM and MTA remain committed to strengthening Semak Kasih as an accessible resource for Malaysians and helping families take the necessary steps to establish their entitlement to benefits.

For more information, please visit www.mycoverage.my

SOURCE: Life Insurance Association of Malaysia

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Puan Norizan Hassan
Head of Corporate Communications
Life Insurance Association of Malaysia
Tel: 603-2691 6168 / 6628 / 8068
Email: liaminfo@liam.org.my

MTA:
Name: Puan Siti Nor Kamariah Ishak
Head, Corporate Communications
Tel: 018-355 1427 Fax: +603-2031 8170
Email: mtasecretariat@malaysiantakaful.com.my

--BERNAMA

KRANESHARES AI FUND BEATS NASDAQ-100, HELPED BY ANTHROPIC STAKE

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- KraneShares announced the private investments in its KraneShares Public-Private AI & Technology exchange-traded fund (ETF), including a stake in artificial intelligence (AI) company Anthropic, have contributed significantly to the fund’s returns since its launch in July 2024.

The fund, which trades under the ticker AGIX, returned 70.13 per cent from its inception on July 17, 2024, to Oct 31, 2026, compared with 45.64 per cent for the Nasdaq-100 Index, with its private holdings contributing 11.92 percentage points, the company said in a statement.

“Anthropic showed what is possible when a fund like AGIX can get onto the cap table of a category-defining AI company early, and our goal is to keep finding the next opportunities like it,” said KraneShares Senior Investment Strategist, Derek Yan.

The company said AGIX became the first ETF to invest directly in Anthropic, the maker of the Claude AI models, in February 2025, at a valuation of US$61.5 billion. (US$1 = RM4.05)

KraneShares Head of Capital Markets and AGIX Portfolio Manager, James Maund said combining public AI stocks with direct stakes in private companies such as Anthropic allows investors to take part in these companies’ growth before they go public.

The update comes as Anthropic moves towards a stock market listing after filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on Oct 26 to list on Nasdaq under the ticker “ANT”, according to KraneShares citing a Wall Street Journal report.

The fund also holds stakes in private companies including General Intuition, Ayar Labs, Standard Bots, Apptronik, and Nuro.

-- BERNAMA

DENODO, AWS SEAL MULTI-YEAR DEAL ON AI DATA ACCESS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- Denodo, a data management company, has signed a multi-year strategic collaboration agreement with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to help companies build and scale agentic artificial intelligence (AI), meaning AI systems that can make decisions and take actions on their own, using real-time business data.

The agreement builds on the companies’ existing relationship and includes joint workshops, co-marketing, co-selling and commercial incentives, as well as solutions with systems integrators for uses such as fraud prevention in banking, claims processing in insurance and predictive maintenance in manufacturing, Denodo said in a statement.

“Together with AWS, we give joint customers a unified AI data layer so that agents can access live, governed data and active context across every enterprise source, without moving or replicating it.

“This expanded collaboration helps our customers move from pilot to production in days rather than months and scale with confidence,” said Denodo Chief Executive Officer, Ángel Viña in a statement.

Meanwhile, AWS Director of Americas Technology Partners, Allison Johnson said the collaboration helps customers extend the value of their AWS AI investments to all their data, wherever it is stored.

Denodo’s software allows AWS AI services to use company data held in on-premises systems, other cloud services and software as a service (SaaS) applications without first copying or moving it.

Denodo is available as a fully managed cloud service or for deployment in customers’ own AWS accounts and can be bought through AWS Marketplace.

-- BERNAMA

CHINA’S GUAN GONG HOMETOWN SCENIC AREA SEEKS TOP 5A STATUS

 

The Haizhou Guandi Temple

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 (Bernama) -- The Yuncheng Guan Gong Hometown Cultural Tourism Scenic Area in northern China, home to a historic temple complex dedicated to the ancient general Guan Yu, is seeking designation as a National 5A-level Tourist Attraction, China’s highest tourism rating.

Currently rated a National 4A-level Tourist Attraction, the 3.03-square-kilometre scenic area is in Haizhou Town, Yanhu District, Yuncheng. It lies in the Yellow River Golden Triangle region, where Shanxi, Shaanxi and Henan provinces meet.

The site comprises the Guan Yu Cultural Experience Zone and ecological recreation areas around the Wulongyu River and Nüyanchi, or Female Salt Pond. Its Haizhou Guandi Temple is a national-level protected historical and cultural site.

The temple complex, whose origins date back to the Sui Dynasty, follows a symmetrical palace-style layout and includes Duanmen Gate, Chongning Hall and Chunqiu Tower. It is regarded as the earliest-established, largest and best-preserved architectural complex dedicated to Guan Yu in China.

According to a statement, the scenic area is also designated as a Cross-Strait Exchange Base and a China Overseas Chinese International Cultural Exchange Base.

Scenic area general manager, He Jinyang said it is committed to preserving and passing on its cultural heritage in innovative ways, while integrating historic architecture, folk customs and ecological tourism.

He said it aims to become a world-class destination for experiencing Guan Gong culture.

-- BERNAMA

Horizon Quantum and OQC Announce Successful Pulse-Level Integration of OQC’s Quantum Processing Unit and Triple Alpha Integrated Development Environment

Integration of OQC’s quantum processing unit (QPU) with Horizon Quantum’s Triple Alpha enables pulse-level program execution, qubit characterization, and gate calibration within a unified programming environment.


SINGAPORE & LONDON, Nov 10 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Horizon Quantum Computing Pte. Ltd., the wholly-owned subsidiary of Horizon Quantum Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq: HQ) (“Horizon Quantum”), a pioneer of software infrastructure for quantum applications, and OQC, a global leader in quantum computing, today announced the successful pulse-level integration of OQC’s QPU with Triple Alpha, Horizon Quantum’s integrated development environment, as part of an ongoing collaboration.

This integration provides access to the hardware control layer, enabling Triple Alpha users to perform pulse-level operations on the OQC’s 32-qubit device Toshiko, allowing them to build hardware characterization and gate calibration procedures within the same environment they use to develop and execute quantum applications.

Characterization is a key step in preparing quantum hardware for practical use. By measuring the physical properties of QPUs, characterization helps build an understanding of processor behavior and informs the calibration of quantum gates, ultimately improving computational fidelity. QPUs need a universal gate set to execute quantum programs, and each gate must be calibrated. This process involves sending pulses to the processor, measuring qubit responses, and adjusting the pulses to achieve the desired operations. Because quantum systems are highly sensitive, frequent recalibration is necessary.

The Horizon Quantum team used Triple Alpha’s pulse-level control capabilities to access OQC’s 32-qubit superconducting QPU and characterize parameters such as T1 and T2, which describe qubit relaxation and phase coherence, respectively. The team also used Triple Alpha to execute a high-level quantum program on Toshiko to perform gate calibration.

The results of the collaboration demonstrate how Triple Alpha’s pulse-level control can support hardware characterization and gate calibration directly on a QPU, with the potential to streamline workflows that might otherwise rely on separate tools.

Many quantum computing modalities, including superconducting systems, make use of precise electromagnetic pulses to control the QPU and drive logical operations. Programming at the pulse level requires specifying not only the precise schedule according to which pulses are transmitted to the QPU, but also specifying the physical properties of these pulses. Traditionally, this has required making use of distinct frameworks or programming languages designed specifically for pulse scheduling.

Triple Alpha allows developers to harness pulse-level control within the same programming languages that are used to develop quantum applications. This portable approach lets users write programs once and execute them across different control systems. As a result, pulse-level control enables users to create and deploy characterization and calibration routines and other programs which explore the physics of the QPU itself, and integrate them into their workflow via a simple web-based API.

The ongoing collaboration between Horizon Quantum and OQC reflects both companies’ commitment to unlocking broad quantum advantage and commercial applications for quantum computing.

“Exposing pulse-level control of OQC processors through Triple Alpha will enable users to interact with the physics of the quantum processors, rather than just the data they contain,” said Dr. Joe Fitzsimons, CEO of Horizon Quantum. “We expect this to enable the development and implementation of new techniques for characterization, noise mitigation and improved performance. We are grateful to OQC for working with us to make this integration possible.”

“Making quantum computing useful requires close integration between hardware and software,” said Simon Phillips, OQC’s Chief Product Officer. “By bringing OQC's device's pulse-level capabilities into Triple Alpha, we’re giving developers greater control to characterize qubits, calibrate gates, and build quantum programs within a single environment—a practical step towards simplifying quantum application development.”

About Horizon Quantum

Horizon Quantum [NASDAQ: HQ] is on a mission to unlock broad quantum advantage by building the software infrastructure that empowers developers to use quantum computing to solve the world’s toughest computational problems.

Founded in 2018 by Dr. Joe Fitzsimons, a leading researcher and former professor with more than two decades of experience in quantum computing, the company is bridging the gap between today’s quantum hardware and tomorrow’s applications through the creation of advanced software development tools. Its software infrastructure moves beyond the constraints of static circuit execution, making it possible for developers to express any conceivable quantum computation. Its integrated development environment, Triple Alpha, enables developers to write sophisticated, hardware-agnostic quantum programs at multiple levels of abstraction. Learn more at www.horizonquantum.com.

About OQC

OQC is the UK’s leading quantum computing company, building and deploying the world’s most accessible superconducting quantum computers. With its cloud-ready quantum systems, OQC enables customers across sectors, from finance to energy to national security, to explore quantum advantage today. OQC’s mission is to make quantum computing useful, accessible, and sovereign.

Note to Investors Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements. The expectations, estimates, and projections of the businesses of Horizon Quantum may differ from its actual results and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “potential,” “plan,” “enable,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements and Horizon Quantum therefore cautions against placing undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are outside of the control of Horizon Quantum and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) references with respect to the anticipated benefits and costs, if any, of the strategic collaborations with OQC, including our ability to integrate each company’s technologies, including calibration technologies, within our quantum computing testbed and Triple Alpha platform; (2) whether exposing pulse-level control of OQC processors through Triple Alpha will enable users to interact with the physics of the quantum processors to the extent currently expected or to a lesser degree; (3) whether the development and implementation of new techniques for characterization, noise mitigation and improved performance can be achieved; (4) changes in applicable laws and regulations or political and economic developments; (5) the possibility that Horizon Quantum may be adversely affected by other economic, business and/or competitive factors; (6) difficulties operating Horizon Quantum’s quantum processors and the possibility that the quantum processors do not provide the advantages that Horizon Quantum expects; and (7) other risks and uncertainties included in the “Risk Factors” section of the Annual Report on Form 20-F filed by Horizon Quantum on April 14, 2026 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), as well as other documents filed or to be filed with the SEC by Horizon Quantum. The foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. New risks emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all risks, nor can management assess the impact of all factors on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, Horizon Quantum undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Horizon Quantum does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in their expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261109741986/en/

Contact

Horizon Quantum investor contact
Katherine Bailon
investors@horizonquantum.com

Horizon Quantum media contact
Yanina Blaclard
media@horizonquantum.com

OQC Media Contact
press@oqc.tech

Source : Horizon Quantum Holdings Ltd.

QIANHAI TAPS APEC SUMMIT TO DEEPEN SHENZHEN-HONG KONG TIES

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- Qianhai, a Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation zone in southern China, is using the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Shenzhen this month to deepen trade links and regulatory cooperation with Hong Kong and Asia-Pacific economies.

As of September 2026, 20 of Shenzhen’s top-rated 5A-level logistics companies, or 47.6 per cent of the city’s total, had set up headquarters in Qianhai, the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone said in a statement.

The authority added that Qianhai has worked with Shenzhen Customs and Hong Kong’s Electrical and Mechanical Services Department on mutual recognition of technical standards for home appliances.

Under a first list of 50 Chinese national standards recognised as equivalent to International Electrotechnical Commission standards, mainland appliances that meet them need only a Hong Kong-compatible plug to enter the Hong Kong market, without further testing.

“Now that our high-speed hair dryers have passed the national standard tests, they can be exported to Hong Kong without additional testing. This has significantly slashed our time-to-market and costs, leading to smoother order growth,” said Shenzhen Shuye Innovation Technology Co Ltd Head of Asia-Pacific Sales, Yan Fang.

The Shenzhen · Qianhai International Business e-Station has also partnered with Alibaba.com Hong Kong to offer companies a one-stop digital trade service, and has established partnerships with 53 overseas industrial parks in 32 countries.

-- BERNAMA

FERROTEC OPENS SECOND KULIM PLANT, CREATING OVER 1,000 HIGHVALUE JOBS FOR MALAYSIANS

Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, MIDA CEO

New facility strengthens Malaysia’s semiconductor and advanced manufacturing ecosystem and deepens local supply chain ecosystem

KULIM, Kedah, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- Ferrotec Group has further strengthened its manufacturing footprint in Malaysia with the official opening of Ferrotec Manufacturing Malaysia’s Plant 2 in Padang Meha, Kulim, on 28 October 2026. This marks another significant milestone in the Group’s expansion in Southeast Asia and its continued commitment to Malaysia’s semiconductor and advanced manufacturing ecosystem. Malaysia remains an important part of Ferrotec’s Southeast Asian growth strategy, supported by growing semiconductor demand, Malaysia’s established semiconductor ecosystem and the performance of the Group’s existing operations in the country.

The grand opening ceremony was officiated by YAB Dato’ Seri Haji Muhammad Sanusi bin Md Nor, Menteri Besar of Kedah. He was joined by Mr. He Xian Han, President and Group CEO of Ferrotec Corporation, and Mr. Anzhi He, Managing Director of Ferrotec Manufacturing Malaysia, together with members of the Kedah State Executive Council, state and local government officials, and senior representatives of Lam Research Corporation and Applied Materials, Inc.

Ferrotec’s first manufacturing facility in Kulim involved an initial investment of more than RM900 million and commenced operations in January 2024. The company subsequently committed a further RM1 billion to its expansion in Kulim, bringing the cumulative investment for the two Kulim plants to approximately RM1.9 billion. This latest expansion will generate over 1,000 new high-value jobs for skilled Malaysian professionals—including engineers, technicians, and production specialists, further building on the workforce established by the first facility.

YAB Dato’ Seri Haji Muhammad Sanusi bin Md Nor, Menteri Besar of Kedah, said, “Our ambition is not simply to bring more factories into Kedah. Our ambition is to build a stronger industrial ecosystem where leading global companies can grow, local businesses can develop alongside them, and our people can benefit from better employment and career opportunities. Ferrotec’s continued expansion is an excellent example of the kind of long-term partnership we hope to build.”

The opening of Plant 2 significantly expands Ferrotec’s Kulim footprint, adding nearly one million square feet of highly automated manufacturing space equipped for over 700 high-precision CNC machines, IoT sensors, and autonomous guided vehicles. Together with the existing facility's established capabilities in quartz, advanced ceramics, precision metal fabrication, and electromechanical assembly for the semiconductor industry, Ferrotec's Kulim operations now employ over 2,200 people with continued capacity for growth.

Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), said, “Ferrotec’s decision to open a second plant in Kulim, in less than three years after its first plant began operations, reflects the Group’s confidence in Malaysia as a base for semiconductor equipment manufacturing. The project brings advanced capabilities in quartz, ceramics and precision metal components into the country and, with more than 1,000 additional high-value jobs, creates valuable opportunities for Malaysian engineers, technicians and local suppliers. This is in line with the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 and the National Semiconductor Strategy, which aims to move Malaysia further up the semiconductor value chain. MIDA will continue to work closely with Ferrotec as it ramps up Plant 2 and deepens its links with Malaysian companies.”

He Xian Han, President and Group CEO of Ferrotec Corporation, said, “Malaysia has a mature, well-established and dynamic semiconductor ecosystem. Its strong industrial foundation, comprehensive infrastructure and efficient government services provide favourable conditions for foreign investors to establish, operate and expand their manufacturing operations. These strengths reinforce our confidence in continuing to invest in Malaysia.”

Anzhi He, Managing Director of Ferrotec Manufacturing Malaysia, said, “When we first evaluated locations in Southeast Asia, we looked at many factors. Today, I can confidently say that choosing Malaysia and Kulim was one of the best decisions we made. MIDA has been with us since our first conversations about Malaysia and continued to support us following our investment decision, connecting us with the relevant stakeholders and helping us address administrative matters when timing was critical.”

Plant 2 is targeting a capacity ramp-up in the first quarter of 2027 and full production by the second quarter. The facility reinforces Malaysia’s standing in the global semiconductor industry.

SOURCE: Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
MIDA
Name: Puan Zakiah Sajidan
Director, Machinery and Metal Technology Division, MIDA
Tel: 0322676769
Email: zakiah@mida.gov.my

Ferrotec
Name: Tan Ai Leng
HR Associate Director of Ferrotec Manufacturing Malaysia Sdn Bhd
Tel: 04-2024000
Email: ftmm.corporate@ferrotec.my

--BERNAMA