Here's why:
* Official language: Malay is the official language of Malaysia.
* National language: It's also considered the national language of Malaysia, reflecting its cultural significance.
* Widely spoken: A large majority of Malaysians speak Malay as their first language.
While other countries like Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, and parts of Thailand and the Philippines also have sizable populations who speak Malay, Malaysia holds a unique position as the country where it is the official and national language.