IPOH: Former Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin (pic) says the state's economy would have been on par with or better than Selangor and Penang, had he stayed on or the federal government changed power in 2008.

Mohammad Nizar, who is currently the state Industry, Investment and Corridor Development Committee chairman, said there was no cooperation between the state and the federal government.

He said the Barisan government then kept sabotaging the state's development plans.

"There was no support or cooperation.

"Had I also stayed on, the state would be on par or even better than Selangor and Penang," he said during the Industrial Park Forum for Northern Region at Weil Hotel here on Thursday (Oct 18).

Mohammad Nizar was the state mentri besar in 2008, prior to the collapse of the state government 11 months later.

Following Pakatan Harapan's victory during the general election in May this year, the state’s Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman, Ahmad Faizal Azumu, was made the 12th Mentri Besar.

Mohammad Nizar said that since returning to office as the state exco member, he had been getting five visits from potential investors daily.

"We assure them that there would be less red tapes, no corruption and other negative elements.

"We want to make Perak great again," he said.

Also present during the forum was Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Dr Ong Kian Ming.