KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 — Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has announced a new council to address Bumiputera socio-economic issues including improving the economy and tackling the unemployment rate.

He said the council, Bumiputera Prosperity Council or Majlis Kemakmuran Bumiputera, will have Teraju (Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit) as a main unit to coordinate existing agencies and government-linked companies that assist the Bumiputera community.

"Understanding the worsening economy and increasing unemployment rate among the Bumiputera, the government has decided to set up a Bumiputera Prosperity Council to address socio-economic aspects faced by the Bumiputera.

"I myself will chair the council that will focus on expediting efforts to empower the Bumiputera,” he told the Parliament today during Ministers’ Question Time.

Other agencies involved in the effort include Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad (PUNB), Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) and National Entrepreneur Economic Fund (Tekun Nasional) as well as agencies that are mandated to assist Bumiputera communities.

Muhyiddin who is also Bersatu’s Pagoh MP was responding to Parti Amanah Negara’s Parit Buntar MP Datuk Seri Mujahid Yusof Rawa who asked about the government’s measures to improve the Bumiputera economy, especially the growing number of unemployed without blaming other races.

"With this council, we hope to scrutinise the problems faced by the various economic sectors such as agriculture, for example, and ensure more targeted action can be carried out,” said Muhyiddin.

He added that the government is also committed to making the Bumiputera agenda a success through Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 and the 12th Malaysia Plan, which will be tabled early next year.