Malaysian Foreign Minister Hamid Albar has arrived in Burma for his long-awaited trip to check on the country's progress on democratic reforms.
Malaysia's foreign ministry says Hamid will hold talks with Burmese leaders during his three-day visit. Malaysian officials and Burma's secretive military government have been silent about the trip, though Hamid said Tuesday he hoped to go this week.
The Association of Southeast Nations appointed Hamid last year as a special envoy to visit Burma. Officials in Burma agreed to the trip and a January date was set, but then was postponed by Rangoon.
There has been no indication from the Burmese government that Hamid will be allowed to meet detained pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi. Burma is under intense international pressure to institute democratic reforms.
Information for this report is provided by AFP and Reuters.
