Malay identity to them is as important as their religious identity. In fact it is difficult to make distinction between their Malay and Islamic identity. This identity is unique to them which they cannot share with other Muslims in Malaysia or elsewhere. There are non-Malay Muslims in Malaysia. They are of Indian origin but they have very different sense of identity from the Malay Muslims.
Malay nationalism is a different category by itself.
It is dominant category of nationalism in Malaysia. Malaysia is a pluralist country like India. There are Chinese, non-Malay Muslims, Christians and Hindus. The Chinese are about 37 per cent, next only to Malay Muslims. The UMNO is the dominant political party, which is mainly a Malay Muslim party but also has in its fold other minorities.