The former deputy investment, trade and industry minister said the comparison made by Perak PAS commissioner Razman Zakaria was unfair as the political scenario in Malaysia and Thailand was different.

Ong said that in Malaysia’s case, the opposition was harassing a legitimately elected government, while in Thailand, the dispute revolved around appointing a prime minister.

“So comparing ourselves to Thailand isn’t really accurate,” the former Bangi MP told FMT.

Ong was responding to Razman’s comparison of the country’s GDP recorded in the last quarter of 2022 and the second quarter of 2023 to that of Indonesia and Thailand.

Thailand’s GDP rose by 1% in the fourth quarter of 2022 before increasing by 2% and 3% in the first and second quarter of 2023 respectively.

Thai lawmakers had last week approved tycoon Srettha Thavisin as the kingdom’s new prime minister, ending three months of political deadlock on the day former premier Thaksin Shinawatra returned from exile.

Malaysia, meanwhile, posted a GDP growth of 7% in the fourth quarter of last year, before the percentage dipped to 5.6% and 2.9% in the first and second quarter of 2023, respectively.

Ong went on to say that economic stability was contingent on political stability as without a stable government, policies could not be drafted.

“So when there is a change in administration because of defections it would not inspire confidence among investors when it comes to policies.”

He called for an end to attempts to topple the government and for such quarters to respect the outcome of the last general election (GE15), which led to the formation of a unity government that comprises coalitions – Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah – and standalone parties.

“The people are fed up with the constant politicking and the changing of governments, be it in a state election or a by-election,” he said, adding that voters can wait for the next general election (GE16) if they wish to see a change in administration.