He criticised Mr Lee for comments about his late father, former Umno secretary-general Syed Jaafar Albar, who Mr Lee said was one of those responsible for inciting racial riots in 1964 in Singapore.

Mr Syed Hamid was quoted in The New Straits Times as saying: "He is good at manipulating the facts to make them appear as if that was what had actually happened and is very insensitive towards a neighbouring country."

The Malaysian Berita Harian also quoted him as saying: "This is a manipulation of history and historical facts which I feel is not healthy for a leader who has held the highest post."

The Sun yesterday reported that Mr Syed Hamid took issue with Mr Lee for labelling his father a Malay extremist.

He said that Mr Lee was again trying to fan racial dissatisfaction in the country by creating unnecessary anxiety between Malays and Chinese.

He also said that if Mr Lee could call Syed Jaafar a racist, then "Lee is also one, as his actions have shown bias against a certain racial group".

He said that Mr Lee used the trade unions and communists to come to power and added: "While Lee camouflaged his speeches when he was trying to wrest power in Singapore with the help of communists and trade unions, the speeches have all the racial overtones you can ask for."

He said Mr Lee not only made allegations against his father, but also against former prime ministers Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Abdul Razak Hussein.

"I think with this type of attitude he is trying to recall history based on his own perspective and his own interpretations," he said.

"He does not realise the sensitivity of his neighbour... the feelings of others. He thinks of only his own feelings and satisfaction.

"He is only good at blaming people throughout his political career."