KUALA LUMPUR: If left unchecked, racism can lead to ethnic cleansing, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said while racism only existed in small groups, radicalism, militancy and extremism were more widespread.
"We worry that if racism is not deterred at an early stage, ethnic cleansing will happen like what happened in other countries and this must be avoided," he told reporters after the Special Asean Ministerial Meeting on the Rise of Radicalisation and Violent Extremism here Friday.
He said that through the work of Asean and other world leaders, all countries are committed to stop not just racism but militancy and radicalism at the international level.