Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today expressed fears for democratic progress in Burma after pro-reform premier General Khin Nyunt was was replaced by senior junta figure Soe Win.

Abdullah said he was concerned the change of leadership would adversely affect the junta's "roadmap" to democracy, launched with a national convention earlier this year.

"I'm worried in case that happens. I hope the road map to democracy will not be affected with the change of the prime ministership," he told a reporters in Jakarta after attending the inauguration of Indonesia's new president.

"We are observing very closely the development in Myanmar (Burma)," he said.

On retirement

Khin Nyunt was arrested and put under house arrest for alleged corruption, Thai officials said Tuesday, after a power struggle within the top ranks of the junta.

Burmese state media said Tuesday that Khin Nyunt had retired for "health reasons" and had been replaced by Soe Win, who has publicly stated his opposition to talks with detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party.

The military has controlled Burma since a coup in 1962. Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy won national elections by a landslide in 1990 but was not allowed to rule.