Since no party in Barisan Nasional has taken on Singapore Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew over his assertion that Chinese Malaysians are marginalised, PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub stands ready to do so.

"I am arguably in no position to challenge you to a debate, granted your esteemed stature (as) a statesman of international standing," said Salahuddin in a letter to Lee, sent today via the republic's high commission in Kuala Lumpur.

Salahuddin said he deemed it his responsibility to cordially invite Lee to debate the topic, given the absence of any such move from top government leaders "this side of the causeway".

"Where is (Umno Youth deputy head) Khairy (Jamaluddin)?" asked Salahuddin ( photo ), when speaking to reporters outside the high commission after submitting the letter to First Secretary Heng Aik Yeow.

Although saying he was "not convinced of the argument that the Chinese are marginalised," Salahuddin said Lee should be given the opportunity to present to Malaysians his arguments and views through open discourse.

Calling for such debate to be conducted in an objective, intellectual and academic manner and based on the use of empirical evidence, Salahuddin stressed he was not playing the race-card or attempting to appear as the champion merely of the Malays.

While Chinese, Indian, and indigenous groups have not been able to attain their share of the country's economic pie, "bumiputeras have also not achieved the targeted 30 percent share of equity", he said.

Last month, when responding to questions on Singapore's authoritarian system of governance at a forum, Lee had said the city-state has to be strong in order to stand up to its larger Muslim-majority neighbours, Malaysia and Singapore.

"My neighbours both have problems with their Chinese. They are successful, they're hard working and therefore they are systematically marginalised, even in education. And they want Singapore, to put it simply, to be like their Chinese - compliant," he said.

His remarks drew protests from Malaysia and Indonesia. The foreign affairs ministry of each country also summoned the republic's envoy for an explanation.