Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew is still trapped in an outdated racial mind-set, said Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Anwar Ibrahim.

"His remarks exposed the racial elements that have been in him for a long time," he said in a statement today.

"(Lee) could see the problems faced by the Chinese abroad but not the woes of the Malays in Singapore who have complained about being marginalised and left behind," he added.

Anwar was responding to Lee's recent remarks that the Chinese in Malaysia and Indonesia have been systematically marginalised .

What is regrettable, Anwar said, was that Lee never showed concern for the bumiputera and Indians who are in dire need of help.

Lee should look for a development plan that is based on the spirit of equality for all races, added the former deputy premier.

For example, Anwar said he has been calling for the New Economic Policy (NEP) - a race based affirmative action policy in Malaysia - to be replaced with the New Economic Agenda.

Although Lee is an enviable statesman, the PKR leader said the former's record is tainted by disallowing freedom of expression and political dissidence.

Reply to PM's letter

On Sept 15, Lee told a forum on good governance in Singapore that the attitude of Malaysia and Indonesia towards the republic was shaped by they way they treated their Chinese communities.

"My neighbours both have problems with their Chinese. They are successful, they're hardworking and therefore they are systematically marginalsed, even in education.

"And they want Singapore, to put in simply, to be like their Chinese - compliant," he said.

His remarks drew protests from Malaysia and Indonesia. The foreign ministries of both countries had also summoned the republic's envoys for an explanation.

However, certain quarters in Malaysia agreed with Lee's assertion.

Lee has reportedly responded to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's letter asking for an explanation. The reply is expected to be handed over to the Foreign Ministry by the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.