KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 -- A crowd gathered outside Sogo Kuala Lumpur this afternoon for the 'Himpunan Melayu Berdaulat' (Sovereign Malay Rally), calling for the protection of Malay rights, reserve lands and national sovereignty.

Led by a coalition of non-governmental organisations headed by Perkasa president Syed Hassan Syed Ali, the rally attracted participants from nearby areas including Masjid Jamek and Kampung Baru, with arrivals starting around 1.30pm.

The gathering, which lasted just over two hours, concluded peacefully by approximately 4.30pm.

"This is a gathering of Malays that goes beyond political party lines," Syed Hassan said during the rally.

Participants, numbering in the hundreds, chanted slogans such as "Melayu Berdaulat...