Extremists are the country's public enemy number one, especially if they instil fear in the society.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Joseph Kurup said in a speech today that extremism instils fear and encroaches into freedom as a result of the fears created.

"Extremist groups, if left unchecked, are major obstacles to national unity," Kurup said at a conference organised by the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (Asli) today.

Asked at a press conference he held later, Kurup said the identities of the "public enemy number one" were "public knowledge".

"It is public knowledge. I don't want to mention anyone in particular but, they include those people who have been influenced to join the Islamic State (IS). These are extremist people.

"(And they also include) those who talk bad about other people's races and religions," he said.

A sizable number of Malaysians have been reported to have joined the extremist group IS, with two of the country's citizens, to date, having been responsible for suicide bombing attacks.

Right-wing groups such as Perkasa and Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma), on the other hand, continue to court controversies by coming out with statements deemed "extreme" by the country's "moderates".

As for Mahathir backing Perkasa...

Meanwhile, when asked to comment on former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad who has expressed support for Perkasa, Kurup said he was not in the know about the matter.

"I have no idea as to whether he is supporting (Perkasa)," he said.

Kurup in his speech earlier had admitted that the country's unity was being challenged.

Commenting on the emergence of extreme right-wing groups making "inflammatory, bigotry remarks with increasing frequency", Kurup said such groups had no respect for fellow Malaysians or self-respect of their own.

"Their sole purpose is to bring our people apart, destroying the once beautiful picture of unity that is Malaysia," he said.

Kurup, who is the minister in charge of national unity, said attempts by right-wing groups trying to "implement their extremist agenda in the garb of religion" could fuel violent extremism.

"Bigotries are rooted in biases, are discriminatory in nature and skirt around racial superiority that reinforce the  'us against them' sentiments," he said.

Crimes committed against own countrymen

Kurup then cited the hostage situation in Sydney, the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris, as well as the killings by Boko Haram in Nigeria, saying it was "saddening" that these crimes committed by the individuals were against their own countrymen.

"Such incidents occurred due to the lack of national unity and moderation.

"This highlights the great importance of the need for a spirit of national unity, which I strongly believe will be the strongest remedy for preventing such occurrences from happening in the country," he said.

On the IS, which has attracted recruits from Southeast Asia, Kurup said a major concern was that the individuals may be going to Syria to seek training in order to carry out attacks back home.

"This is a worrying trend as it threatens our communal harmony, where Muslims, Buddhists and Christians have lived peacefully for many years."

As such, Kurup said, it was important to address the frustrations of the marginalised populations, to remain true to the Rukunegara and to uphold the Federal Constitution.

"We must also cultivate a culture of calm resolution because when we let anger or political opportunism shape our reaction, we are likely to lash out at the wrong targets," he added.