The House of Representatives has rejected a new envoy to Indonesia from military junta-ruled Myanmar, while civil society groups are skeptical of a constitutional referendum planned there.

The decision was made Thursday at a consultation meeting of House leaders led by speaker Agung Laksono.

Agung was quoted by Antara as saying the House recommended the government postpone accepting I Nyan Lin as Myanmar's new ambassador to Indonesia until democracy was established in the country.

The Indonesian government should accept the new envoy only after the junta manages to ensure democratic elections and reconcile with pro-democracy groups, particularly the one led by detained Aung San Suu Kyi, Agung said.

The meeting discussed President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's request for the House's opinions on three new foreign ambassadors: Ibrahim Baba from Nigeria, Hamdi Ould from the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and I Nyan Lin from Myanmar.

Indonesian law allows the House to recommend approval or rejection of foreign envoys set for assignment in the country.

The Thursday forum, attended by House leaders and all its faction heads, accepted Ibrahim and Hamdi but rejected Nyan Lin.

Agung argued the decision was in line with the ASEAN Charter which mandates the military junta must promote democratization in Myanmar.

The junta has earned strong worldwide criticism for its oppressive rule in Myanmar, including using violence to quell monk-led protests in September last year.

The regime had formed a roadmap to democracy and announced the country would conduct a constitutional referendum and elections in May this year and 2010, respectively.

However, the world community still doubted the junta's intention to build a democratic Myanmar.

On Friday, a two-day international conference concluded with a call for ASEAN member countries to oppose a constitutional referendum in Myanmar unless steps were taken to ensure a fair vote.

The conference, titled "The Role of ASEAN Civil Society in Supporting Human Rights and Democracy in Burma", was held in Jakarta from Thursday and attended by around 50 civil society organizations.

Debbie Stothard of the Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma was suspicious that the Junta had its own agenda behind the referendum.

"Last week the military regime said monks are not allowed to vote in the referendum, so you can see very clearly what the agenda of the military regime is," she said.

The conference recommended the referendum not be held unless steps were taken to guarantee "genuine popular participation" in the vote.

Human Rights Working Group coordinator Rafendi Djamin said a free and fair referendum and national elections in Myanmar could only take place under three conditions.

He called for the declaration and implementation of a nationwide cease-fire, unconditional release of all political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi and dissolution of laws inhibiting freedom of expression, opinion, association and movement.

Doubt over an illegitimate referendum was also voiced by U Awbata, a Myanmarese Buddhist monk in attendance.

"I don't think the referendum will be fair and just," he told the conference.

He said he and other Buddhist monks would never accept the results of an unfair referendum and elections. (alf).

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