He's a 90-year-old man. We (should) give allowance to him, (just) like people who give allowance to me.
Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, 88, said this when asked to comment on former Singapore premier Lee Kuan Yew's latest book, One Mans View of The World, which was launched on Tuesday.

Among others, the book quoted Lee as saying: Malaysias race-based politics placed the country at a disadvantage and was voluntarily shrinking the talent pool.

Commenting further, Dr Mahathir said: He is entitled to use his opinion where there is free speech, especially in Singapore.

The former premier was met by reporters at the Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his cabinet ministers at Seri Perdana here today.

In the 400-page book, Singapore's founding prime minister shares his views on international politics, the global economy, climate change and more.

Lee said Malaysia was prepared to lose talent in order to maintain the dominance of one race and the government there (Malaysia) was now somewhat more willing to acknowledge this loss, by trying to lure Malaysians back, their efforts may be too little, too late.

Meanwhile, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said here were other forces which contributed to 'brain drain' as people were looking for better pay, better working environment and infrastructure, and security.

His deputy, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, said Malaysia did not want any one race more dominant than another, in order to preserve harmony.