Chee Soon Juan released a statement that his Singapore Democratic Party "registers its protest against the arrest and continuing detention" of the Nobel laureate who leads opposition to the ruling junta in Myanmar.

He also urged the Singapore government to "unequivocally denounce" the arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi at the weekend during a tour of a northern region.

The government's "silence on the matter is not only deafening but also unhealthy for the future of ASEAN," he said, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

"The continued violence and repression against democracy forces in Burma (Myanmar) can only lead to greater instability and turmoil not only for Burma but also for her neighbours," Chee said, using the country's former name outlawed by the junta.

ASEAN has a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of its members, a stance which has come under fire from analysts and western nations as a "see no evil, hear no evil" approach.

Both Singapore and Myanmar are members of ASEAN, which also groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

Sources in Myanmar told AFP Wednesday that Aung San Suu Kyi was injured in the head and shoulder by a military-backed mob in clashes last week that are believed to have left dozens dead.

ASEAN Secretary General Ong Keng Yong said in Malaysia on Tuesday the regional grouping had no right to interfere in Myanmar's internal affairs.

"We should let the Myanmar authorities come and use ASEAN channels to tell us what is happening. Bear in mind Myanmar is one of our members. You cannot go in and tell your family member you cannot do this, you cannot do that," he said.

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