The minister says Bersih can still apply for a permit to hold a rally outside of KL, and the police will have no qualms in approving it.
Similarly, he added, Perkasa and Umno Youth could also do the same.
“I would like to offer again, no matter who, Perkasa, the illegal Bersih, or Umno Youth. If you want to hold rallies in whichever stadium outside the city, there is no problem with the police,” he said.
Asked to suggest a spot for the Bersih rally, Hishammuddin said Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim had already offered the Melawati stadium in Shah Alam.
“If they apply today, we have no problems. Why are you hell-bent on causing trouble and traffic jams for the city folk?” he asked, referring to Bersih insisting on holding its rally at Stadium Merdeka.
Hishammuddin also said the government had no hidden agenda and the police acted fairly in rejecting the applications from all three organisations.
“We must act fairly. The public must be aware there is no other agenda,” he told a press conference, which was also attended by the foreign media, at Bukit Aman this evening.
ISA arrests not ruled out
Asked if there could be arrests under the Internal Security Act and Emergency Ordinance, Hishammuddin did not rule out the possibility.
“At the end of the day, we must be clear that the security of the people and nation is paramount. We are ready for whatever eventuality,” he said.
“The priority of the government… before, now, and forever… has been public peace and the safety of everyone. And now in particular, the people of Kuala Lumpur,” he added.
He said the police had been fully prepared since July 3 and believed that there was no need to call in the military even though there were provisions for this.
Hishammuddin also said the police had prepared a hotline for the public to call up to clarify any issues regarding the rallies (03- 21460525 or 03-21460524).
“For any kinds of inquiry, just call. There are a lot of SMS and news going around that’s not true. I ask the public to be wary of false information,” he said.
No internet clampdown
Hishammuddin also denied rumours of an internet clampdown tomorrow, saying: “I don’t believe there is any move in that respect. You have to ask MCMC (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission). I can confirm as far as the Home Ministry and police are concerned,” he added.
The minister again mentioned that he was concerned about the finding of weapons, especially in Perak this morning.
He added that initial investigations showed that “third parties” were involved. Asked who the third parties were, Hishammuddin replied:”Still under investigation.”
On the rationale behind the court order restricting 91 people from entering certain parts of the city, he said it was a preventive measure.
“Those are precautionary measures, it was made even before the stadium issue. What happens depends on what happens tomorrow.
“We want to make sure nothing happens … (maybe) if (Bersih 2.0 chairperson) Ambiga Sreenevasan and (Opposition Leader) Anwar Ibrahim go alone, and there is no threat to public security (we won’t arrest them). But the order is there… nothing more, nothing less.
“I have to commend the police for not standing down and getting the order,” he added.
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