KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Former Malaysian premier
Mahathir Mohamad on Friday dismissed Singapore as a "tiny" country
and said it should mind its own business in a racial row between
the neighbours.
Responding to criticism from Singapore's founding Prime Minister
Lee Kuan Yew that Malaysia mistreated its ethnic Chinese minority,
Mahathir said: "Don't be like that Kuan Yew. You just look after
your rice bowl, that is all.
"The country is tiny, don't be too proud," added Mahathir, 81, who
ruled Malaysia for 22 years until 2003.
A similar reference about Singapore's geographical size had sparked
a storm between Singapore and Indonesia in 1998.
Then-Indonesian President B.J. Habibie referred to Singapore as a
"little red dot" in a sea of green -- a reference to the fact the
city-state of 4.4. million people is surrounded by Malaysia and
Indonesia -- two large, predominantly Muslim countries.
Lee, 83, told a forum in Singapore last week that it was vital for
Singapore, a predominantly ethnic Chinese state, to stand up to its
bigger neighbours.
Singapore and Malaysia have deep economic ties, but diplomatic
relations are often strained. The two countries briefly united as
one country in 1963 but separated two years later in a falling out
related to racial politics.
How like that? Quarrel only. Why can't we just make peace? So
sad. But for a tiny country, we are indeed proud! PROUD OF OUR
ACHIVEMENTS!!! 
