A day after he told Malays they were not being marginalised, Goh told the Chinese "to be careful never to sideline or dominate other communities."

Most recent speeches on the racial issue have been aimed at the Malay-Muslim community where there have been rumblings about being socially disadvantaged, and a need for a greater voice in politics.

In multi-racial, multi-religious Singapore, Chinese make up 77 percent of the population, compared to 14 percent of the predominantly Muslim Malays and eight percent Indians. "Recent events at home and in the region have brought out starkly the importance of constantly tending our harmonious race relations," Goh said.

"There have been instances of racial tension and religious strife in neighbouring countries, reminding us that the realities of inter-ethnic relationships in Southeast Asia have not changed," he said without specifically naming Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

"As the largest community in Singapore, the Chinese have a responsibility to ensure that the multi-racial Singapore 'family' stays united."

In his earlier speech, Goh told Malay-Muslim organisations that every community had progressed in Singapore's short history, "not just an annointed few."

Producing figures showing improvements in education, income and work skills, Goh said he was reacting to accusations that the Malay community in Singapore was marginalised.

"Lagging behind the other communities in some areas does not mean marginalisation. While you may not have caught up with them in in all areas, you have narrowed the gap in many."

The Straits Times, Singapore's main daily, followed Goh's speech with nearly a full page of articles emphasising Malaysian success stories and progress in the republic.

Earlier this month, Muslim Affairs Minister Abdullah Tarmugi unveiled the blueprint of a 10-year plan to fit the Muslim community into the city-state's high-tech drive into the new economy.

A driving reason behind Singapore's divorce from Malay-majority Malaysia in 1965 was the issue of race riots between Chinese and Malays.

Leaders in Malaysia and in Singapore's larger neighbour Indonesia have in the past accused the island state of discriminating against Malays.

In the most recent outburst, Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid accused Singapore's Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew of being contemptuous of Malays.