Mahathir urged to push Myanmar

Mahathir urged to push Myanmar

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia's opposition party pressed Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Tuesday to urge Myanmar's military junta to bring about political reforms during his visit to the country.

"I would like to urge the prime minister (Mahathir) to give constructive criticism to the leaders of the military junta as the government has failed Malaysia and other ASEAN countries in bringing about political and economic reforms," said Teresa Kok, lawmaker with the Democratic Action Party.

Mahathir will make a two-day working visit to Yangon starting Wednesday. The premier will meet Gen. Than Shwe, chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) and other leaders.

Kok said the situation in Myanmar has not improved at all since its entry into ASEAN four years ago. "Instead it has become worse in the past few years. "Mahathir has a duty to bring SPDC back on the right track," she said.