Author: Mohammed Ariff. Publication/Conference: MIERScan, 14 January 2008 In the Malaysian context, economic growth and income distribution have been the two sides of the same coin. Economic growth is thus crucial for successful affirmative action. The improvements in income distribution, both intra- and inter-ethnic, in the early years of the NEP were attributable in no small measure to the rapid growth of the economy. However, to the extent that economic growth was input-driven, not productivity-driven, this was not sustainable.