Putrajaya (Malaysia), July 20: Myanmar might have to be expelled from the Asean grouping if its military rulers continue defying world pressure to release democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad warned. Mahathir, who played a major role in bringing Myanmar into the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations in 1997, made it clear, however, that this would only be considered as a last resort.
"We will have to examine every avenue before we can take such drastic actions," he told ahead of a visit Tuesday by French President Jacques Chirac.
"In the end, it may have to be that way. I don`t say that it cannot be but certainly not at this moment."
Aung San Suu Kyi, whose party won 1990 elections by a landslide but has been denied power by the military, was detained on May 30 when her convoy was attacked by a junta-backed mob while she was on a political tour of northern Myanmar.
The incident triggered a wider crackdown on her national league for democracy which has left its entire leadership in jail or under house arrest.
Although the junta has insisted that Suu Kyi is being detained on a temporary basis for her own safety, it has not indicated when she could be released, despite pressure from the United Nations and countries around the world.
"We have already informed them that we are very disappointed with the turn of events and we hope that Aung San Suu Kyi will be released as soon as possible," Mahathir said. Bureau Report