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KUALA LUMPUR: Non-Muslims should not fear the Umno-PAS dialogues because the talks, although centred around Islam and Malay unity, will lead to unity and stability, says Umno supreme council member Datuk Mohd Shafie Apdal.

“The talks are a good early step to resolving unity problems among the Malays of different political views.

“If that can lead to unity and stability, I’m sure the Chinese and Indian communities will welcome it because stability will lead to the people being able to improve their lives,” he told reporters after opening the 16th International Congress on Archives at the KL Convention Centre.

“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 will welcome it,” said Shafie, who is Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister.

He was commenting on a statement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that Umno and PAS have had three high-level dialogues on issues closely related to Islam.

Earlier, Shafie said history researchers and archivists should adopt modern digital technology in their work to help them preserve important documents.

“Such documents will not only be useful for posterity and help impart knowledge to future generations, but the artefacts can (also) help us in resolving conflicts with other countries,” he said.

In Ipoh, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi urged Umno and PAS members to keep an open mind.

“Let there not be feelings of jealousy or worry. What is important is the intention,” he said.

“If the intentions are good and there are no conditions imposed during this muzakarah, then these talks are the best way to achieve results,” he said.

He added that he has had “several meetings” that touched on the same issues with PAS leaders.

“We do not need to politicise these meetings.”

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