In a written answer to a query in parliament, Foreign Minister S. Jayakumar described Aung San Suu Kyi's detention as "a setback" for the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, as well as for Myanmar.

The Nobel Peace laureate marked one month in detention on Monday. She was detained on May 30 following violent protests north of the capital, Yangon.

"We conveyed our concerns to the Myanmar government shortly after Aung San Suu Kyi was taken into 'protective custody'," Jayakumar said, referring to the term used by the junta on her detention.

"On that occasion, we also urged the Myanmar government to cooperate with the special envoy of the UN secretary general and, in particular, to grant him access to Aung San Suu Kyi."

Jayakumar recalled that during talks by the ASEAN foreign ministers in the Cambodian capital on June 16, Singapore joined calls for the "early lifting of restrictions" on Aung San Suu Kyi.

"We also urged the Myanmars to stay on the course of national reconciliation and dialogue with all parties involved, including Aung San Suu Kyi and her party," he said.

As well as Myanmar and Singapore, ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

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