Policies of moderation, tolerance and understanding are key to fighting against terrorism especially in a multi-racial society like Malaysia, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The prime minister said Malaysia and ASEAN partners were also believed that resolving the menace of terrorism calls for a comprehensive and long term strategy.

"Military action alone is inadequate without adressing the root causes and adopting a multi-pronged approach," he said in his keynote address entitled 'Confronting Global Terrorism: The Role of ASEAN', at the United Nations Association Malaysia (UNAM) dinner, here tonight.

The prime minister said for centuries, South East Asia has been enriched by the assimilation and integration of different peoples and traditions, with a culture that has welcomed and benefitted from diversity.

"We in Malaysia and ASEAN must strive to maintain this way of life and reject extremism," he said.