Malaysia's foreign minister today played down concerns that next week's first-ever East Asia Summit would overshadow Asean's traditional role in the region.

"You can still remain married while you make friends with other people without disturbing your marriage," Syed Hamid Albar said. "I think Asean is still playing an important role."

The East Asia Summit comprises leaders of the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations as well as Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and India.

Its inaugural meeting will be held in Kuala Lumpur next week after the traditional "Asean plus three" meeting which includes China, Japan and South Korea.

Several nations insisted on adding the other trio to the summit as a counter-balance to China, with the United States not present at the gathering.

Mahathir's views rejected

The inclusion of Australia and New Zealand was criticised by former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad who said the East Asia Summit had been diluted with the inclusion of non-Asian nations.

But Syed Hamid rejected his remarks, saying the reality of foreign politics now meant that member states had to decide whether to be inclusive or exclusive.

"You want to take into account the new strategic development in global affairs," he said.

"We decided at the Asean level that, by consensus, we should be really inclusive, we should be open, we should not be exclusive.

"It is called East Asia with three additional members. It doesn't change the content nor substance of it."