South-east Asia's regional association, ASEAN, remains officially wedded to the doctrine of non-interference in the internal affairs of its members. But the Anwar Ibrahim affair has worried and angered a growing number of Malaysia's regional allies.

Staying away? Indonesian President, B J Habibie

Newspaper editorials in the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia have been unusually harsh in their attacks on the Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad, and forthright in their defence of Mr Anwar.

Even more worrying for the Kuala Lumpur authorities are the thinly-veiled criticisms of regional leaders, including now, President Habibie of Indonesia.

Like President Estrada of the Philippines, another to voice alarm over Mr Anwar's plight, President Habibie is a personal friend of the former Malaysian deputy premier.

He told the Bangkok newspaper, The Nation, that he had been very saddened by the affair.

He said it had been wrong to arrest Mr Anwar on the basis of accusations that were not proven, and added that the Malaysian authorities should not forget how much he had contributed to the country during his years of government service.

Mr Habibie said it would now be difficult for him to attend the summit meeting next month in Kuala Lumpur of the Asia Pacific Economic Forum, adding that he would first have to consult his parliament.

President Estrada has also voiced misgivings over attending a gathering which, with Bill Clinton and some twenty other heads of government scheduled to participate, will be a showcase event for Malaysia.

The street protests which erupted in Kuala Lumpur immediately after Mr Anwar's arrest raised concern in some quarters that the summit might have to be moved elsewhere.