Malaysia slammed a failed UN Security Council resolution against Burma, saying it had hardened the resolve of authorities in the military-ruled state.

Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said Burma had been open to letting detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi meet with a United Nations envoy, but the US-led draft resolution had "closed that window of opportunity."

"We are back to square one," Syed Hamid told reporters after meeting with Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller.

"Myanmar (Burma) has to be brought on track again to discuss. Now they do not even discuss on the release of Aung San Suu Kyi," he said.

The international community "has forced them into a situation and we are not succeeding," he said.

The United States earlier this month introduced a draft resolution at the Security Council urging Myanmar's rulers to initiate democratic reforms.

But China and Russia used a rare double veto to sink the resolution, which would have called on the junta to free the estimated 1,000 political prisoners in the impoverished country.

Burma claimed victory after the veto, and Syed Hamid said the show of support from China and Russia could embolden the repressive junta.

"It just simply means to Myanmar that they are very strong. I believe Myanmar will be hardened towards external influences," he said.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) earlier this month bridled at Washington's manoeuvres and said the regional bloc should take primary responsibility for handling fellow member Burma.

"We thought that it is not right for the resolution to be brought to the Security Council," said Syed Hamid.

"The United Nations Security Council is not an appropriate venue ... Myanmar is not a security threat to international peace," he said.