The coup leader and former junta chief, Min Aung Hlaing, was installed as civilian president in April following highly restricted elections. Analysts say the vote -- which did not include Suu Kyi's party -- was part of an effort to whitewash Min Aung Hlaing's rule. Suu Kyi, now 81, was moved to house arrest after Min Aung Hlaing said he had commuted the rest of her sentence. "As a gesture to the international community, it's the wildcard Min Aung Hlaing was holding close to his chest," he said. The Myanmar government could "gain a lot from ASEAN" by permitting access to Suu Kyi, said Myanmar specialist Morgan Michaels.