Frustrated with Asean's silence on recent developments in Burma, UN special envoy Razali Ismail has strongly criticised the regional body for its lack of political will to change the status quo.

Razali, the first outsider to visit detained pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon last week, said his efforts at pushing for political reconciliation in Burma cannot work without support by governments in the region.

"Constructive engagement is just an excuse for perpetuating the status quo. Asean should be very embarrassed at what is happening," said the envoy in an interview in Kuala Lumpur last Friday.

"Myanmar (* formerly known as Burma) is going to be the chair of Asean in 2006. How can you have a military dictator chair Asean? There are certain ethos in the region such as consultation with the people which are not observed in Myanmar."