UMNO Deputy President Tan Sri Muhyiddin gave assurance to the Malays and Bumiputeras that the party will always continue to defend their fate.

Muhyiddin was addressing the issue about UMNO's direction after the 13th general election concerning the economy of the Malays and Bumiputeras.

"UMNO will never neglect the economy of the Malays and Bumiputeras. UMNO will continue to uphold this big task as long as the party still exists and gains the support of the people.

"These are proof to UMNO's commitment to continue to defend the Malays and Bumiputeras," said Muhyiddin during his opening speech at the Wanita UMNO, Youth and Puteri's assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) on Tuesday.

He said UMNO, being the largest Malay political party, will continue to uphold the agenda of strengthening the Malays and Bumiputeras without any fear.

He dismissed the thought of UMNO being rigid and backwards, and stressed that UMNO has always been opened to change.

Muhyiddin said that history has proven that the economic success of the Malays and Bumiputera is due to UMNO's struggle.

"The Bumiputera poverty rate has declined from 64.8 % in 1970 to 2.2 % in 2012 . The Bumiputera hardcore poverty rate was reduced from 9.9 % in 1970 to 0.3 % in 2012 .

"In the same period , the average gross monthly household income of the Bumiputeras has increased from RM172 to RM4,457 and Bumiputera equity ownership has increased from 2.4 % to 23.5 %," he said.

He said, UMNO's struggle for greater participation of the Malays and Bumiputeras in the economy is further driven by the implementation of the Bumiputera Economic Empowerment Agenda, which was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak recently.

He also urged all UMNO Youth wing members to facilitate the implementation of the seven key initiatives outlined in the agenda .

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin, who is also Deputy Prime Minister stressed that UMNO will continue to work with organizations to spearhead the Malay Muslim community integration efforts.

"UMNO's door is always wide open to respond to the call of unity and cooperation with every Malay and Muslim organizations.

"This is the hope of the Malays and Islam in our country. They want to see a more concrete Muslim unity because through unity, the interest of Muslims will always be defended , " he said.

He said UMNO as a party that fights for Islam, should a separation wall with other Islamic organizations.

Instead, he said cooperation and building a more solid unity based on the spirit of brotherhood in Islam should be implemented to ensure that the interests of Islam is always defended.

"I'm sure, if I ask every person in this hall tonight, we all agree that nothing is more important for us Muslims who adhere to the teachings of the Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah but the unity on the straight path of Allah, " he said.

Wanita , Youth and Puteri will commence their conferences concurrently on Wednesday.