PERAK PUSHES INNOVATION, INVENTIONS TO BE COMMERCIALISED – SAARANI

IPOH, Nov 17 (Bernama) -- 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 said 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.

“This approach is crucial for creating new job opportunities, enhancing industrial capacity and boosting the state’s competitiveness nationally and internationally. We do not want innovations to end at competition tables. They must be implemented and monitored to truly add value to public service and community life,” he said.

His speech was read by State Science, Environment and Green Technology Committee chairman Teh Kok Lim.

Saarani noted that successful innovations also foster a more efficient and integrity-driven public service culture. 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.

“This is commendable, but it also reminds us that efforts to strengthen the research, development and commercialisation ecosystem must continue with greater commitment,” he said.

Highlighting Perak’s innovation achievements, he cited 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 features eight categories, namely, 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.

-- BERNAMA