Deputy inspector-general of police Noor Rashid Ibrahim has praised yesterday's Malay-Muslim rights rally Himpunan Kebangkitan Ummah (Rise of the Ummah) as exemplary, according to Bernama.

Noor Rashid said the police received good cooperation from the organisers of the rally, which was held in the field of the Sultan Sulaiman Club, Kuala Lumpur.

"The rally yesterday went smoothly, and those present gave good cooperation to police. We estimated the turnout to be between 3,500 to 4,000, and everything was carried out according to the rules.

"We hope such a rally can be an example to facilitate the police's task. We also hope participants (of future rallies) will comply with the rules and not disturb others," he was quoted as saying.

Noor Rashid was speaking to journalists after attending a ceremony granting 400 retired police officers the Pingat Jasa Pahlawan Negara in Johor Bahru today.

He said the organisers had informed police of the event, thus allowing police to take the appropriate measures to regulate traffic.

The rally yesterday was largely attended by Umno and PAS leaders in defence of Malay-Muslim rights.

Among the leaders in attendance were PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, information chief Nasrudin Hassan, central committee member Nik Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz, Umno supreme council member Lokman Noor Adam and former Federal Territories Umno youth chief Razlan Rafii.

Also present was Bersatu member Rais Yatim.