Threat from extremist groups to southeast Asia growing: Singapore defence chief

KO OLINA, Hawaii (Reuters) - The threat that violent extremist groups pose to Southeast Asia is growing each year as they become more organised and focused in their aims, Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen said on Friday.

Ng was speaking to reporters following a meeting of Southeast Asia defence ministers with U.S. Defence Secretary Ash Carter in Hawaii, where the defence chiefs devoted a major chunk of time to discussing the threat from Islamic State and similar groups.