Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who while in power was an important ally of Burma's junta, today called on the ruling generals to release democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Mahathir, who engineered Burma's admittance into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), said the junta should not be afraid of the ramifications of freeing Aung San Suu Kyi or making other reforms.

"I fought hard for Myanmar (Burma) to be admitted into Asean. I think the leaders of Myanmar should consider public opinion (in support of her release) and there is nothing they have to lose," he said.

"It is up to the government of Myanmar to decide. It would make things easier for everyone."

Burma's democracy figurehead on Sunday celebrates her 60th birthday at her Rangoon home where she has been confined for the past two years in her third stint under house arrest since beginning her political career in 1988.

Mahathir said Burmese generals needed to be assured that if they moved towards democracy, they would not face prosecution

"Some guarantee must be given that no action will be taken against them," he said.

Be patient with the junta

The political strongman said however the world had to be patient with the regime which has drawn widespread criticism for its failure to end four decades of military rule.

"Democracy is not something that has been with us for millions of years. It is not normal at all, the normal way is autocracy and monarchy," he said.

Malaysian police yesterday arrested 68 Myanmar activists for protesting over Aung San Suu Kyi's detention outside the Burmese embassy in the capital Kuala Lumpur.

Today, lawmakers from DAP are due to present a memorandum to the embassy calling for Aung San Suu Kyi's release.

Burma is next in line to take over the rotating chair of the 10-member Asean from Malaysia next year.

Parliamentarians in several Asean countries have urged their governments to block Burma accession because of its lack of reforms which they say is an embarrassment to the region.

Mahathir has said in the past that Burma might have to be expelled from the Asean grouping if its rulers continue defying world pressure to release Aung San Suu Kyi, whose party won disallowed 1990 elections in a landslide.

Asean groups Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.