MCA will not be distracted by external disturbances in its call for a more level playing field in the economy for all races, said its deputy president Liow Tiong Lai.

Instead, he said, MCA would stay focused in assisting the government accelerate the country's economic growth.

"We know that there are extreme groups who are dissatisfied and will continue to question various issues. But we should not be distracted by such disturbances.

NONE "We place importance on the nation's development agenda and the people's confidence in the government," he told reporters after presenting RM100,000 from the federal government to the Kwang Tong and Kwang Sai Association in Hulu Selangor yesterday.

Liow was earlier asked to comment on the outcry by Malay rights group Perkasa on the MCA's recent statement that called for a gradual reduction of the 30 percent bumiputera equity quota.

The statement was one of 13 resolutions passed at the Chinese Economic Congress organised by MCA last Saturday.

On another note, Liow said the country's economic growth of 8.9 percent in the second quarter also proved that the New Economic Model was well received by the people and that Malaysia was on the right track to achieve a six percent growth this year.

"The government will continue to strengthen the economy. When the economic cake is bigger and growth better, all races will benefit.

"We need to focus on what is good for the country," he said.

- Bernama