Muslim Malays, who make up 60 per cent of the country's 27 million population, control the government while ethnic Chinese, at 26 per cent, dominate business.

A powerful Chinese group, the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, appealed to Prime Minister Najib Razak to review business policies, in particular the government procurement system.

In the past, the group has claimed that these policies favour the Malays.

'(We wish to suggest the government) overhauls certain policies and guidelines which are not conducive to promoting investments, both foreign and domestic,' its president William Cheng said at the group's annual meeting.

The group also asked the government to lower the electricity tariff to reduce production costs.

The demand come as Malaysia, South-east Asia's third-largest economy, faces a recession this year as well as high unemployment.

Malaysia has pursued a policy of affirmative action for Malays and indigenous groups known as 'bumiputras' since the 1970s to close a wealth gap with the Chinese community. But the opposition has warned the country's ability to attract foreign investment had been compromised by retaining such policies.

Mr Najib, who took office early this month, assured the business community that the government would consider their views. 'We will review whatever policy (is not) good for business but we need a bit of time to study all the current policies,' he told reporters after opening the Chinese group's meeting.

The government in March unveiled a stimulus package worth US$24.3 billion but warned the export-driven economy could still shrink by 1.0 per cent this year.

An independent think-tank, however, said Wednesday the country's economy will shrink by 2.2 per cent in 2009, citing gloomy business and consumer confidence. -- AFP