Malaysia, which was pivotal in bringing Burma into the 10-member Asean group, today stepped up pressure on the junta to release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar told a news conference that the credibility of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations had been damaged by Aung San Suu Kyi's detention, which he described as a set-back for the region.