He said the government is instead focusing on effectively strategising to empower its agenda for the majority of the population, elevating its dignity.

“The Bumiputera economic congress should not be politicised by a few who view it cynically, as though it would deny the rights of the non-Bumiputeras or the populace at large.

“In fact, if we look at the latest statistics released by the statistics department, 70.1% of Malaysians are Bumiputeras,” he said when officiating the Bumiputera economic congress symposium here today.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim previously said the government also wants the Chinese and Indian chambers of commerce to take part in the congress.

Asyraf also said invitations to the congress had been sent to all political parties, following a directive from Anwar.

His comments come after PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said the party had not yet received an official invitation to the congress.

On Feb 14, Fadhli said the party would like to see an official invitation before deciding if its leaders will attend the congress, in response to deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s remarks that the congress was open to all, irrespective of political affiliation.

Zahid, who is also the Umno president, said the government was “colour-blind when it comes to how the economy affects Bumiputeras”.

However, Asyraf said he has not received any replies to the invitation.

When asked again following Asyraf’s comments, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said that the party still has yet to see an official invitation.

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