Malaysia has signalled that Burma will not be allowed to hide behind Asean's policy of non-interference in members' affairs, saying actions that threaten the bloc's credibility cannot be ignored.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) has long shied away from criticising other members, but in recent months the gloves have come off against military-ruled Burma which has embarrassed the bloc by refusing to accept democratic reforms.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said in a speech marking the 39th anniversary of Asean's founding that the Burmese issue had led to much debate about the non-interference policy and it was due for an overhaul.

"The concept and principle contained in the treaty might indeed require refining or updating in order to be relevant and responsive to the changing needs of member countries," he said, adding this could be done in the group's new charter, or constitution, which is currently being drafted.

There is also speculation that the new charter could contain a provision for members to be suspended or ejected - a tool which would be squarely aimed at Burma which at the moment cannot be expelled from the group.

"I think Myanmar (burma) has to accept the fact that Asean and Myanmar, they are a member of our family," said Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar.

"As a member of our family, anything that happens that particularly affects us, then we should be able to deal with it rather than ignoring it and saying it is internal affairs," he said.

Asean's credibility

Burma's ruling junta often dismisses criticism of its refusal to shift to democracy or release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi by describing the issues as "internal affairs".

"Internal affairs have to be looked in terms of how it affects fellow Asean members," Syed Hamid said.

"We do not want to go and tell them how they should govern but if anything happens in Myanmar that affects the credibility and integrity of Asean then we should be talking about it, we should be able to play a role and try in what what way we could contribute."

Asean foreign ministers last month released a watered-down version of a statement on Burma after their annual talks, following intense debate which pitted the democracies of Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore against smaller member that opposed tougher wording.