The motion on the Burmese issue filed by Zaid Ibrahim (BN-Kota Baru) will be up for debate in Parliament on April 28, the last day of its current sitting.

"I have been informed that my motion has been slated for debate on April 28," the current chairperson of the Asean Inter-Parliamentarian Caucus on Democracy in Burma told malaysiakini.

A legislator with the ruling coalition, Zaid has moved a motion in Parliament calling for, among others, the release of Burma's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the speeding up of reforms in the military-ruled nation.

It also seeks an endorsement from the Malaysian Parliament that Burma be denied from holding the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) until its government releases all political detainees including Aung San Suu Kyi and opens up space for the restoration of democracy in the country.

Zaid said that although he had preferred the motion to be debated earlier, he has to bear with the schedule of the current session which is debating the royal address.

"I hope we could discuss this matter as soon as possible so that the Malaysian Parliament could spur other Asean Parliaments to join us," he added.

An 'unusual' move

Last December, a similar motion tabled by Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang was struck out.

Although the Burmese military regime has been on the receiving end of international criticism, it is 'unusual' for a fellow Asean nation to lead the charge. Asean members have maintained a long-standing policy of non-interference in each other's affairs.

Yesterday, Thai Foreign Minister Kantathi Supamongkhon was quoted as saying that Thailand would not join the Malaysia-led campaign to suspend Burma from chairing Asean next year but would instead continue to engage constructively with its neighbour.

Burma is take over the chairmanship from Malaysia in June 2006.

The 10-member association comprises Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.