Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar ended a two-day visit Oct. 11 during which he met with Gen. Than Shwe, chairman of the military junta, Prime Minister Gen. Soe Win and Foreign Minister Nyan Win, the national news agency Bernama reported.

Their discussions focused on Myanmar's plans for democratic reforms but did not touch on the continued detention of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Syed Hamid told Bernama in the capital, Yangon.

Western nations have strongly criticized the junta for holding Suu Kyi under house arrest, human rights violations and failing to make promised democratic reforms.

In recent months, the junta has rebuffed efforts by U.N. envoy Razali Ismail -- a former Malaysian diplomat who has strongly lobbied for Suu Kyi's release -- to visit Myanmar to jump-start democratic reforms.

Syed Hamid's visit comes ahead of a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations hosted by Malaysia in December, when the status of Myanmar's political reforms is expected to come under close scrutiny.

Since Myanmar joined the bloc in 1997 -- with strong support from Malaysia -- the international community has criticized ASEAN for defending Myanmar despite its lack of progress toward democracy and improved human rights.

The Japan Times Weekly: Oct. 15, 2005
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