The Malay Consultative Council (MPM) has urged the government to urgently address the widening income inequalities in the country.

MPM economist Akbar Ali said there are large disparities in income between bumiputera and non-bumiputera, between urban and rural groups, and between the B40, M40, T20 income groups.

"There is no denying that we have succeeded in reducing the absolute poverty rate from 49.3 percent in 1970 to 0.4 percent, or nearly zero, in 2016.

"However, studies show that the income gap between bumiputera and non-bumiputera, between urban and rural residents, and between the B40 and T20 and M40 income groups has been widening since 2009," he said.

He was speaking to reporters after a roundtable between MPM and the media on the 11th Malaysia Plan mid-term review at Wisma MPM here today.

Citing examples, he said the income disparity between urban and rural residents’ gross monthly household income has risen from RM2,160 in 2009 to RM3,312 in 2016, while the income gap between Chinese and bumiputera has surged from RM1,387 in 2009 to RM2,483 in 2016.

Akbar urged the government to re-orientate all policies and programmes towards reducing these income inequalities, and not just focus on raising the incomes of only the B40 households.

He also expressed hope the government would give attention to ownership of financial and non-financial assets such as houses, shophouses and other properties, saying bumiputera ownership of such assets has been declining each year.

- Bernama