Burma's membership in Asean cannot be revoked at the moment even though its actions have smeared the good name of the regional association, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

"We know Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) is a silent enemy to Asean and our country's international image, but that doesn't mean that it is not a member of Asean or the United Nations" said parliamentary secretary to the foreign affairs ministry Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

"Although the conflicts in Myanmar involve human rights and democracy, they can be resolved instantly. That is why sometimes Asean has defended Myanmar, but we have stopped doing so now.

"Myanmar has even been taken to the UN Security Council, but China and Russia used their veto power against punishing (its government)."

He said this in response to M Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat) who asked when Asean would expel Burma for abusing human rights and carrying out house arrests of political dissidents.

Ahmad Shabery explained that, at this stage, the ministry hoped that the soon-to-be-formed eminent persons group - which will set out the basis of the Asean Charter - will come up with solutions to the situation.

The charter will give legal room and create a framework to deal with issues related to human rights in the region.

"Its constitution will enable supervision of errant member-states, followed by action," he explained, without going into detail because the mechanism is still at its formative stage.

However, he said it would highlight the two issues that Burma has always ignored, poverty and human rights.

"The charter will enable us to say 'Enough is enough, Myanmar...action will be taken if you don't comply'," he said.

He further said Burma has been urged to resolve its democracy-related issues and support Asean initiatives that are intended to help the country to show that it is sincere about reform.

Member-states have also expressed regret over the government's decision to extend the house arrest of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, up to May next year.

"Despite constant attacks on its policies by many developed nations and NGOs, Myanmar wants to achieve its 'Road Map to Democracy' in its own way," he added.