KUALA LUMPUR: Non-Muslims should not fear the Umno-PAS muzakarah (dialogue) because the talks will help to lead to national unity and stability, Umno supreme council member Datuk Mohd Shafie Apdal said.
While the talks had centred around the issue of Islam and Malay unity, Shafie said it should be welcomed by all Malaysians.
"The talks are a good early step to resolve unity problems among the Malays of differrent political views.
"If that can lead to unity and stability, I'm sure the Chinese and the Indian communities will surely welcome it, because stability will lead to the people's ability to improve their lives," he told reporters Tuesday after opening the 16th International Congress on Archives (ICA) at the KL Convention Centre here.
Shafie said sensitive issues on religion and race should be resolved, or the people would continue to face conflicts, which in turn would cause security problems.
"If the talks can be seen as an avenue to seek solutions, I don't see why they cannot continue.
"As a minister in charge of unity, I welcome (such talks)," he added.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had revealed on Sunday that Umno and PAS have had three high-level dialogue sessions to discuss several issues closely related to religion.
On his bid for the Umno vice-president's post, Shafie said Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman should be allowed to contest.
"That is his right. I cannot say that he shouldn't contest because I'm contesting due to the fact that both of us are from the same state.
"There are four from Johor who are also contesting.
"It's all part of the democratic process," he added.
Earlier, Shafie, who is Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister, said history researchers and archivists should adapt modern digital technology in their work to help them in preserving important documents.
"Such documents will not only be useful for posterity and help impart knowledge to future generations, but the artefacts can help us in resolving conflicts with other countries.
"It's important for us to have proper places for the safe-keeping of our documents," he added.
In his speech, Shafie said records perform important function in the democratic and political process.
"The right to information is an important element in any modern democracy.
"There is also an increasing need to bring the goals and vision of the archiving community to bear on issues such as transparency and good governance," Shafie added.
A total of 1,200 participants from 138 countries are attending the three-day congress, which began Tuesday.
While the talks had centred around the issue of Islam and Malay unity, Shafie said it should be welcomed by all Malaysians.
"The talks are a good early step to resolve unity problems among the Malays of differrent political views.
"If that can lead to unity and stability, I'm sure the Chinese and the Indian communities will surely welcome it, because stability will lead to the people's ability to improve their lives," he told reporters Tuesday after opening the 16th International Congress on Archives (ICA) at the KL Convention Centre here.
Shafie said sensitive issues on religion and race should be resolved, or the people would continue to face conflicts, which in turn would cause security problems.
"If the talks can be seen as an avenue to seek solutions, I don't see why they cannot continue.
"As a minister in charge of unity, I welcome (such talks)," he added.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had revealed on Sunday that Umno and PAS have had three high-level dialogue sessions to discuss several issues closely related to religion.
On his bid for the Umno vice-president's post, Shafie said Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman should be allowed to contest.
"That is his right. I cannot say that he shouldn't contest because I'm contesting due to the fact that both of us are from the same state.
"There are four from Johor who are also contesting.
"It's all part of the democratic process," he added.
Earlier, Shafie, who is Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister, said history researchers and archivists should adapt modern digital technology in their work to help them in preserving important documents.
"Such documents will not only be useful for posterity and help impart knowledge to future generations, but the artefacts can help us in resolving conflicts with other countries.
"It's important for us to have proper places for the safe-keeping of our documents," he added.
In his speech, Shafie said records perform important function in the democratic and political process.
"The right to information is an important element in any modern democracy.
"There is also an increasing need to bring the goals and vision of the archiving community to bear on issues such as transparency and good governance," Shafie added.
A total of 1,200 participants from 138 countries are attending the three-day congress, which began Tuesday.
