IPOH, May 7, 2026: The success of a state’s development should no longer be measured solely by economic growth figures or achievement reports, but rather by the tangible improvements experienced by the people.
The Menteri Besar of Perak, Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad, said the government bears the responsibility of ensuring that every policy introduced delivers meaningful benefits to the community and reflects realities on the ground.
He made these remarks while officiating the Perak Policy and Research Conference (PPRC), which brought together more than 400 participants comprising civil servants, industry representatives, academics, and various stakeholders.
According to Dato’ Seri Saarani, the strong participation from both the government agencies and industry sectors demonstrated a shared commitment to strengthening the state’s policy delivery and implementation system.
“As policy implementers, we have a responsibility to bridge the world of numbers with the world of human experience,” he said. Dato’ Seri Saarani also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Darul Ridzuan Institute (IDR).
He further emphasised the need to narrow the gap between policymakers, implementers and the people to ensure that every decision made genuinely reflects the needs and aspirations of the community.
Additionally, he highlighted the importance of administrative reform and the development of an ecosystem that integrates political leadership, policy formulation, and implementation in a more integrated manner.
He stressed that these three components cannot operate in isolation if the government intends to ensure that policies formulated are able to achieve meaningful and far-reaching impact on the rakyat.
During the conference, a total of 353 policy proposals were submitted, with 40 key presentations featured throughout the programme.
According to him, while the government is not lacking in ideas, the real challenge lies in translating proposals into effective action and implementation.
The conference also served as an important platform for gathering diverse perspectives, experiences and expertise in efforts to strengthen the state’s future development strategies.
Also present at the event were Perak State Secretary, Dato’ Ahmad Suaidi Abdul Rahim; UUM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr Ahmad Martadha Mohamed; UUM Deputy Vice-Chancellors; Director of CeTMA, Assoc. Prof. Dr Zahayu Md Yusof and university senior officials.
