The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will be transformed into a rule-based entity from a loose regional grouping after the ASEAN Charter is signed, Malaysia's national news agency Bernama reported yesterday.

The Charter is intended to be a long-term document to enable ASEAN member countries to crystallize their intention to create an ASEAN Community by 2015, Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said when he arrived in Singapore yesterday to attend the 13th ASEAN Summit and related meetings.

However, the Charter would not handle certain issues, like the current situation in Myanmar, he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

ASEAN can handle certain issues administratively, he said while commenting on the Charter.

The ASEAN Charter is expected to be signed in Singapore tomorrow. Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will arrive in Singapore today.