"All sorts of old issues were raised, racial sentiments were fanned as if he was the one who determined our history. He is good at manipulating the facts to make them appear as if that was what had actually happened.

"This is manipulation of history and historical facts which I feel is not healthy for a leader who has held the highest post," he said. Extracts of the memoirs were published in the Singapore Sunday Times last weekend.

Datuk Syed Hamid said that such writing would make things worse between the two countries, adding the way it was written showed arrogance and a lack of sensitivity for the republic's neighbours. Datuk Syed Hamid's father, Syed Jaafar Albar, the former Umno secretary-general, was one of the Umno leaders accused by Mr Lee in the memoirs of arousing racial passions in Singapore leading to the 1964 riots.

Meanhile, Parti Gerakan urged Singapore to look forward instead of harping on old sensitive issues.

"Parti Gerakan urges Singapore to move beyond past issues which continue to 'fester like an old wound' and instead to work towards improving bilateral relations," Deputy Secretary-General Tan Kee Kwong said.

DAP deputy chairman Karpal Singh said the publication of the memoirs in the wake of recent rows was ill-advised. He said: "Memoirs are usually written by one who has retired and takes the opportunity to mull over and reflect upon the events of the past. Lee Kuan Yew has not retired," he said. -- Bernama