Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has now been spent nearly 12 years in incarceration under Burma's military. Ahead of the expiry of her latest one-year period of detention on Saturday nearly 60 current and former leaders around the world joined hands to press for her release from house arrest. But, as expected, the military junta in Burma decided to extend her detention for another year out of fear that her freedom would threaten the survival of their dictatorial rule.

Asean has become more vocal on the issue lately and has repeatedly urged its member state to set her free. It was rather unusual that the Philippines, speaking on behalf of Asean, was so blunt this time around. In more ways than one, Asean seems to have learnt the lesson that it can no longer remain polite in its dealings with Burma's military leadership without risking the future of the organisation and its reputation.

This year is an auspicious one for Asean as it is celebrates its 40th anniversary in Singapore. The host country has already made efforts to make this occasion special. It has sought the participation of US President George W Bush for an inaugural Asean Plus One summit. If Burma continues to behave intransigently, it is possible that a way out must be found to ensure that the summit with the US will be realised. Burma's level of representation might have to be downgraded.

So far, Rangoon has not shown any interest in the matter - an attitude that does not go well with the spirit of Asean. The wish of the founding fathers of Asean to have all Southeast Asian countries come together under one umbrella has materialised. But the inclusion of Burma has only been problematic in the 10 years since it was admitted unconditionally in 1997.

As long as one the world's most famous political figures remains imprisoned by one its member states, it will be hard for Asean to stand proudly in the international community, especially at the United Nations, where the grouping was made an observer last year. Asean members need to further unify their position and use whatever peer pressure is necessary for positive changes in Burma. Asean members should not wait until the completion of its charter to deal with the Burmese quagmire. Asean leaders must press Burma at the Singapore summit to free Suu Kyi and help open up the country.

At the same time, it is paramount that Asean convince China to exert its influence on Burma. In recent months China has used its considerable diplomatic power in Sudan to ease tension in Darfur. China has political clout that can be used to great advantage for Asean, especially on Burma. Rangoon and Beijing have close relations since the former is dependent on the latter's goodwill. And for decades Beijing has benefited from Burma's strategic location and rich natural resources, much to the chagrin of the international community.

China has said time and time again that it supports Asean's position on Burma. Now, when Asean is urging the junta to free Suu Kyi, Beijing has kept mum. The time has come for both Asean and China to coordinate their efforts to help resolve the impasse in Burma. Now that China has shown international responsibility in Darfur, it should also play the Good Samaritan in Burma.

At the moment, a group of charter drafters is working on the content of an Asean constitution. They are aiming for a charter that will oblige members to follow rules and regulations and thus improve the grouping's efficiency. The Asean charter drafters are mindful of the situation inside Burma and have called for further changes. Indeed, Asean nations want to assist their fellow member to overcome deadlock. The problem is, Rangoon does not trust its peers. Asean knows full well that without a good charter, compliance with the grouping's rules and regulations will follow exactly the same pattern as has been seen in the past four decades of its existence. But then, questions remain about whether even a good charter will be of any use if a member state continues to behave as though it doesn't really belong.