The government will increase the construction of more affordable housing to ensure the Bumiputera do not lag in non-financial asset ownership, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said the move would be implemented under the third focus of the Bumiputera Economic Empowerment measures.

"The affordable housing will be increased through Syarikat Perumahan Rakyat 1Malaysia (PR1MA), Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad and state governments, nationwide," he said.

Last Saturday, Najib announced new measures and strategies to strengthen the Bumiputera economy under the Bumiputera Economic Council, to be established and chaired by him soon.

The Council will replace the Bumiputera Agenda Action Council in implementing the five main strategies of the empowerment measures.

One of the strategies is to handle the issue of Bumiputeras who still lagged behind in ownership of non-financial assets such as homes, industrial premises and commercial complexes.