Japanese premier Junichiro Koizumi's expression of remorse for World War II atrocities has not gone down well with Malaysian members of Parliament.

During the debate on the Supplementary Supply Bill 2005, several of them referred to the statement as insincere, adding to growing community protest over the issue.

Several said Japan should apologise to Malaysians who had suffered under the Japanese Occupation during the war.

Liow Tiong Lai (BN-Bentong) criticised the visit by Japanese MPs to Yasukuni Shrine, saying Japan should be sincere and honest about its mistakes and not "twist history".

Parliamentary Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) said the Japanese government should be sincere in its apology.

He said inconsistency was shown when the premier issued the statement, but 80 MPs from the ruling party still made a pilgrimage to the Yasukuni Shrine.

"The action contradicts the claim," he said.

He also said Koizumi' "apology formula" had been used previously by other Japanese leaders including former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama.

Lim said Malaysia should carefully consider its support for the Japanese bid for a permanent seat in the United Nations security council, adding that this should hinge on the sincerity of its actions.

'Forget the past'

Foreign Affairs Ministry parliamentary Secretary Zainal Abidin Osman said Malaysia's stand on the Japan-China dispute was that the matter should be solved by the two countries.

"Malaysia is confident that Japan and China will solve the problem peacefully," he said.

Asked by Badruddin Amiruidin (BN-Jerai) whether the government would demand an apology from the Japanese government, Zainal Abidin said : "(We) can forgive, but can't forget."

Irked by the answer, Mohamad Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) immediately stood up to insist: We can't forgive and also can't forget."

Replying, Zainal Abidin said Malaysia and Japan have strong bilateral relations, and that the important thing is to ensure that history is not taken for granted.

"We accept the bitter history and will make sure it will not be repeated. We have to enhance our relations with Japan in trade, investments and tourism. So we would rather look ahead," he said.

This did not please Bung Mokhtar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan), who said the government should call up the Japanese envoy in Malaysia and issue a demand for an apology from Japan.

"What has the government done about our people who have been humiliated?...We can't be silent. It's wrong. We want them to apologise to our people," said the furious MP.

Unfazed, Zainal Abidin said the history has recorded the fact that "they (the Japanese) have done wrong".

He also said the government has not decided whether or not to support Japan's attempt to become a member of the UN security council, since the proposed amendment to add permanent members has yet to be finalised.