His comment indicated that Asean is losing patience with Myanmar, one of the 10 members of the bloc, for refusing to restore democracy or improve its human rights record.
Asean members will be taking 'a pragmatic approach' in tackling potential offences, Datuk Seri Abdullah said.
'The charter does not provide for specific sanctions for charter breaches or non-compliance. But this does not mean that there will be none,' Mr Abdullah said at a forum on regional security.
National leaders will decide how to deal with violations 'as and when the need arises' at their annual summits, he added.
Mr Abdullah urged the Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar and Thailand, which had not ratified the charter, to do so, saying it should not be rejected simply 'because we are unhappy with a few provisions or omissions'.
Philippine President Gloria Arroyo has warned that Filipino legislators could find it difficult to ratify the charter if Myanmar does not restore democracy and free opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The charter is aimed at turning Asean into a rules-based legal entity, which means it will be held accountable for all the treaties and agreements it signs. It will also set up enforceable financial, trade and environmental rules.
ASSOCIATED PRESS