The ratio of Malays in Singapore will not change in the future even as the population grows, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Parliament on Friday.

"The percentage of Malays will continue to be stable for the long term. We will not change it," said Mr Lee, speaking in Malay on the White Paper on population.

Several MPs had raised concerns that the shrinking Singaporean core put forth in the White Paper would lead to a smaller Malay-Muslim share of the population.

Mr Lee gave the reassurance that "we will continue to have the character of Singapore as a society", adding that the Government would take care of the interests of Singaporeans.

He urged the Malay-Muslim community to support the Government's population policies and said he hopes they will benefit from the recently enhanced marriage and parenthood measures. The Government will continue to look after those who need help and create more opportunities for all communities, said Mr Lee.