Syed Hamid also repeated his criticism of Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong after his assertion that ethnic Malays were better off in his republic than in Malaysia.

The foreign minister said Goh, in his speech Jan 21 defending the status of ethnic Malays in the majority-Chinese republic, should not have drawn comparisons with Malaysia.

Singapore had said Goh was forced to speak out because the Malaysian media had in the past month run a series of articles "which erroneously alleged" that Malays in Singapore were marginalised as a result of government discrimination.

Singapore said the "unhelpful and negative comments" did not contribute to good relations.

The Malaysian media comments related to a 1998 book by a Malay Singaporean entitled The Singapore Dilemma: The Political and Educational Marginality of the Malay Community.

Syed Hamid, quoted by Bernama news agency, said Goh should merely have stated his response to the book.

"He can speak about Singaporeans..the Singapore Malays as compared to other races...that's what is explained in the book.

"The book does not explain the position of Singaporeans vis-a-vis Malaysians," Syed Hamid told reporters.

He said the Malaysian media commented on the matter as it was considered to be of public interest, adding that the Singapore media often commented on Malaysian affairs.

The media comments did not reflect the Malaysian government's stand.

"We've said strictly that Goh's statement was not correct and out of place in the context of bilateral ties," Syed Hamid said.

Goh had raised hackles with his comment that "overall, our Singapore Malays fare well when compared with the Malaysian Malays."

Among other statistics, he said that as of last year, 25 percent of Singapore's Malay workforce had upper secondary or higher qualifications compared to 14 percent in Malaysia in 1998.

On Jan 26 Syed Hamid said Goh had hurt the feelings of Malays in the country and Malaysia regarded the statement as meddling in its internal affairs.

Relations have been prickly ever since Singapore split from Malaysia in 1965 to become an independent state. Even trivial issues or press comments by one side or the other can spark a diplomatic row.

In recent months both sides have tried to improve ties. Malaysia's Deputy Premier Abduallah Ahmad Badawi is to pay a three-day visit to the republic from Feburary 7.

Ethnic Malays and other bumiputeras (indigenous races) make up about 63 percent of Malaysia's population, and Chinese about 25 percent. The bumuputeras have special constitutional rights and enjoy an affirmative action programme to narrow the wealth gap with the Chinese.

Chinese make up 77 percent of Singapore's population, compared to 14 percent Malays. Syed Hamid said Malaysia wanted good long-term relations.

"But I see that when problems or matters which they (the Singapore government) are not happy with arise, Malaysia is dragged into the controversy -- which can strain bilateral ties.

"I don't know what's the objective or purpose."