The Malay Economic Action Council (MTEM) has proposed an Equal Opportunities Act to stem racial and gender discrimination in employment.

MTEM, in a statement today, said its research showed that job opportunities for the bumiputera community are lower compared to other races.

It added that other research had similarly found racial and gender discrimination in the job sector.

"In light of this, laws to prevent discrimination relating to employment and salary should be introduced, particularly in the private sector.

"The Equal Opportunities Act should be an example of how this matter can be resolved," it said.

MTEM acknowledged that Putrajaya has helped empower the bumiputera community economically but said more needs to be done.

It said the bumiputera community should be encouraged to participate in important sectors such as information technology, finance, real estate, and mechanics.

"The government also needs to increase asset ownership in the bumiputera community.

"The bumiputera community only owns 26.1 percent of residential property, 5.4 percent of commercial property, and 0.9 percent for industrial buildings," it said.

Furthermore, it said the government should reduce the gap of household income disparity among different ethnicities which it said is growing.

MTEM said these issues can be resolved by improving affirmative action but ensuring there are no leakages and corruption.

It added that the action should be extended to those who are deserving.

MTEM also called on the government to increase the salary distribution to 50 percent of the country's gross domestic product, as practised in the UK, Canada and South Korea.

It also expressed concern that the government's move to bring in more migrant workers will depress the country's wages and put pressure on local low-income earners.