In this regard, the Chams are seen to use their ethnicity and “their linguistic, cultural, and historical affinities” with neighboring countries to further their socio-economic interests. The Chams also employ such affinities, “perceptions of oppression”, and their “Muslimness” in their interactions and negotiations with not only the Malays but with the Khmer as well. In this respect, the Chams of the Mekong Delta have also enjoyed close kinship ties to the Chams in Cambodia, sharing a common religion, language, and trade links that has spanned many generations.
In this context, the Chams leverage their ethnicity, linguistic, cultural, and historical relationships with adjacent nations to further their socio-economic objectives. They also employ these affinities, perceptions of marginalization, and their Muslim heritage in interactions and negotiations with both Malays and Khmer.