Malaysian youth must be made to feel that are important to the nation in order to prevent them from joining extremist groups, Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said today.

This is especially important in light of the rise of extremist groups such as the Islamic State (IS) or Daesh, Hishammuddin said.

"Many young Malaysians today feel that their opinions don't matter and that opportunities for them to rise are limited.

"We must listen to our young, we must make them feel like they are important stakeholders in our country.

"At a time when the world is grappling with the rise of extremist groups that prey on the young, like the so-called Islamic State or Daesh, the importance of this cannot be exaggerated," he said.

Hishammuddin said this in his speech at a special commemorative seminar on former prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein in Kuala Lumpur.

He said the late Razak knew that such threats could be beaten militarily, but that true victory lies in integrating the society.

As such, the former prime minister always listened to and nurtured young talents, said Hishammuddin, a nephew of the country’s second prime minister.

"He did not feel threatened by new ideas or the enthusiasm of the youth. Indeed, he embraced these whole-heartedly," he added.

Bukit Aman Special Branch director Mohamad Fuzi Mohd Harun has revealed that 47 Malaysians are involved with IS militants in Syria and Iraq.

These include 12 women and eight children, while the rest are men.

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar announced on Tuesday that police last year arrested 82 Daesh elements , 73 of whom were Malaysians.