The government has not erred in playing a significant role in supporting Burma's entry into regional pact Asean in 1997.

"It is a country close to us and if Myanmar (Burma) were to be isolated, its development, economy and trade would be stifled, besides having to face a more serious poverty problem.

"Inevitably, it would have to depend on the big powers which will eventually usurped its sovereignty," Deputy Foreign Minister Abdul Rahim Bakri told Parliament today.

He added, when winding-up the debate on the king's address, that what was important was for Burma not to return to its closed-door policy.

Abdul Rahim said although not much change had taken place in that military-ruled country, it was nevertheless developing little by little after it joined Asean.

Light at the end of the tunnel

He was replying to P Ramasamy (DAP-Batu Kawan) who had asked whether Malaysia had erred by recognising Burma as a member of Asean.

On the referendum in Burma to make it a democratic country by holding elections in 2010, Abdul Rahim said it did not receive good response from the international community.

"However, as a sovereign state, Malaysia respects the decision (to hold the referendum) and hopes that democracy will quickly return to Myanmar.

"It's not a problem for us to determine whether the move is sincere or not, but it is light at the end of the tunnel for Myanmar."

He said Burma must be given enough space to implement plans and not act in haste which could further divide the country.

Burma's secretive military rulers have been condemned for being too slow to accept assistance from foreign aid workers in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, which has left 133,000 people dead or missing and two million in dire need of emergency help.

Gov't respects Burma's decision

Asean last year signed a landmark charter committing it to human rights and democratic ideals and setting out principles and rules for members.

But Lim Kit Siang, an opposition DAP leader, has said Burma's refusal to open its doors to international relief efforts had made a "total mockery" of Asean's charter.

"This reflects dismally on all Asean leaders and governments. They can definitely do more," Lim, who is part of the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Caucus which is pushing for democratic reform in Myanmar, said last week.

Abdul Rahim admitted Burma's decision to hold a referendum on a new constitution the junta says will usher in elections in 2010 was not well received by the international community.

"However, as a sovereign state, Malaysia respects the decision and hopes that democracy will quickly return to Myanmar," he said.

"It's not a problem for us to determine whether the move is sincere or not, but it is light at the end of the tunnel for Myanmar," he added.

Since the cyclone hit southwest Burma on May 2-3, aid has only been trickling in, leaving survivors at grave risk of starvation and disease.