UN Special Envoy for Burma Razali Ismail today said he would insist on meeting Aung San Suu Kyi when he arrives in Rangoon tomorrow to verify reports that the pro-democracy leader was injured in a recent clash.

He said the directive has come out of a meeting among UN country representatives in New York yesterday in response to growing reports that Suu Kyi suffered cuts to her head during a violent confrontation between her supporters and pro-government protesters last Friday.

"The countries attending the meeting in New York have advised that the trip should take place. I am taking a mandate from the UN and I will be insisting on seeing Aung San Suu Kyi," he said when contacted.

He also refuted a report by German press agency DPA that his trip was cancelled indefinitely. "No, that is not true. As far as I know, I am still going."

Asean's help

On reports of the National League for Democracy (NLD) leader's injuries, Razali said he still had no official confirmation from the Burmese government.

"The reports are worrying a lot of people and that is why the UN has insisted that I meet with her," he explained.

Questioned if he would seek assistance from the Malaysian government, Razali said he met with Foreign Ministry officials to push them to bring the matter up with their Asean neighbours.

"I have asked for all Asean countries to help in this matter. Maybe not as a group but individually taking into account the UN's position. Some Asean country representatives were also there at the UN meeting in New York (and supported the mandate)," he said.

"Asean has to break through the strait-jacket and start dealing with this issue. The situation in Burma can only be changed if regional actors take their positions to act on it," he added.

Razali - who is also the Special Advisor to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad - said he has submitted a report to the premier, updating him on the latest developments.

However, he could not say if Mahathir has spoken or will speak with the Burmese leaders on the matter.

On Tuesday, several opposition leaders called upon Malaysia to join in the international calls for Suu Kyi's release, in its position as the chair of the Non-Aligned Movement and one of the leading Asean advocates for constructive engagement with Burma.

Secret location

Four days into her arrest in the northern Burmese town of Ye-U, Suu Kyi has been kept away from the public eye in a secret location.

Recent reports have speculated that she has been brought back to Rangoon for treatment of injuries allegedly sustained during an attack on her convoy but this has been denied by the Burmese military spokespersons.

The Burmese army maintained that Suu Kyi and several of her supporters were in "protective custody" following violent clashes which killed four people and injured 50.

However, unofficial estimates placed the death toll and casualty list much higher, sparking concern of a crackdown reminiscent of the violent suppression of students and democracy activists in Rangoon in1988.

On Sunday, the junta also sealed all NLD offices nationwide and ordered all colleges and universities in the country closed until further notice.