SINGAPORE--Singapore, which currently chairs the regional ASEAN group of countries, on Sunday described Myanmar's plans to hold a constitutional referendum and elections as a "positive development."

Myanmar's junta announced late Saturday that it would hold a constitutional referendum in May to set the stage for elections in 2010, but it was not clear if detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi would be allowed to run.

"This is a positive development. We hope that the Myanmar government will ensure that the political process is an inclusive one that would lead to peaceful national reconciliation in the country," Singapore's foreign ministry said.

Singapore currently holds the chairmanship of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to which Myanmar belongs.

If held, the polls would be the first since 1990, when Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) won a landslide victory -- even though she was already under house arrest. The junta never recognized the result.

The NLD called the junta's weekend announcement "surprising."

Myanmar has faced mounting pressure for democratic reform after its deadly crackdown on peaceful protests led by Buddhist monks last September triggered widespread international outrage and tighter Western sanctions.

Singapore led regional criticism of the crackdown, but rights activists have accused the city-state of not taking economic action against the regime.

Singapore strongly denies allegations that it allows banks based here to keep illicit funds on behalf of Myanmar's secretive generals.