Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Malays will not remain quiet and will rise to defend the dignity of the race when challenged.

"I don't want to use this occasion to recognise them (Himpunan Maruah Melayu). Do we keep quiet when our dignity is challenged and when we are pushed against the wall?

"Don't expect this to happen, we will rise to defend our dignity," he said when opening a Border Security and Management seminar organised by Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Thursday.

Also present were UUM Vice-Chancellor, Prof Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Mustafa Ishak and Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Datuk Noor Rashid Ibrahim.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said although the police estimated only 35,000 people attended the rally Wednesday, those present put the figure at some 150,000.