Indonesia's third president BJ Habibie is to speak at a lecture on political transformation in Asean member-countries, to be organised by the Penang Institute on Dec 4.

NONE Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the lecture will discuss the transformation of these countries from authoritarian regimes to global economies and 21st-century democracies.

"More specifically, it will focus on the role of clean governance in facilitating positive change," he said in a statement.

He said Habibie is credited with having played an important role in the expansion of democracy in Indonesia.

"Upon taking over as president, he formed the Kabinet Reformasi Pembangunan or Development Reform Cabinet to ensure the necessary facilitation in rebuilding the nation and to develop real democracy in the country," he said.

Among the key reforms was the abolition of restrictions on the formation of labour unions, the release of political detainees, and opening up of democratic space including media freedom and the freedom to establish political parties.

suharto “He was also responsible for setting the two-term limit for the presidency, a much-welcomed move after more than three decades of Suharto’s (right) rule," Lim said.

The Penang Institute - a think tank friendly to the state government - had held the inaugural Conference of the Asean Coalition for Clean Governance in June.

It featured distinguished Asean leaders and thinkers who addressed the topic and its relevance to the socio-economic and political development of the region.

The first lecture was delivered by former Thai premier Abhisit Vejjajiva.