States have a sizable role to play in the emergence or expansion of violent extremism through policies that have marginalized ethnic or religious groups. This paper argues that heavily securitized state responses to violent extremism, exclusionary politics based on religious and ethnic identity, state action and inaction which reinforces hate speech and intolerance in society, and the use of violence against citizens are all ways in which governments may engender further violence. Instead, South-East Asian governments should implement policies and programmes that center around upholding human rights, building inclusive politics through conflict resolution, protecting minority rights, reducing violence and tackling hate speech.