Perak: The Perak government is strengthening its innovation agenda by ensuring every invention can be developed, commercialised and fully utilised for public welfare and economic growth, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad. Speaking at the 2025 Perak State Innovation Awards here today, Saarani stated that the state supports innovation through collaboration with the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO), government-linked companies (GLCs), and local industries to bring Perak-born inventions to wider markets.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, this approach is crucial for creating new job opportunities, enhancing industrial capacity, and boosting the state's competitiveness nationally and internationally. Saarani emphasized that innovations must not end at competition tables but should be implemented and monitored to truly add value to public service and community life. His speech, delivered by State Science, Environment and Green Technology Committee chairman Teh Kok Lim, highlighted the importance of a more efficient and integrity-driven public service culture fostered by successful innovations.
Malaysia is currently ranked 34th out of 139 economies in the 2025 Global Innovation Index (GII), maintaining the second-highest position in ASEAN after Singapore. Saarani remarked that while this is commendable, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing need to strengthen the research, development, and commercialisation ecosystem with greater commitment.
Highlighting Perak's innovation achievements, Saarani cited the Bagan Datuk-Kampung Sejagop Bridge Project by the state Public Works Department (JKR), which won second place at the Road Engineering Association of Asia and Australasia (REAAA) awards in South Korea in the 'Roads for Communities' category. The annual Perak State Innovation Awards feature eight categories, including Open Innovation, Green Sustainable Innovation, District and Land Office, Local Authority, Higher Education Institution, Darul Ridzuan, Secondary School, and Primary School.
This year's winners included the Royal Malaysian Navy Air Base (Open Innovation), Muallim District and Land Office (District and Land Office), Kampar District Council (Local Authority), Taiping Vocational College (Higher Education Institution), Pasir Salak Community College (Green Sustainable Innovation), Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Batu 4 (Secondary School), Sekolah Kebangsaan Toh Ratna Sakti (Primary School), and Abdul Azim Roslan (Darul Ridzuan). First prize winners received RM10,000, runners-up RM8,000, and third-place winners RM5,000, along with trophies and certificates of appreciation.