The simple answer to your question is yes, the parrot hilt is a distinct Malay style. While not extremely common we see it enough to say it is established. I don't know exactly how long this form has existed. I have seen older versions of it, but nothing that goes back centuries, so it may have come into being in the late 19th or early 20th century. If someone has older examples i'd love to see them. Here is the one i own.
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