There will be no clampdown on the Internet ahead of tomorrow's Bersih rally demanding for electoral reforms, the Home Ministry assured the people today.

Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said no such instruction was issued from his part, and that this this was not under the purview of his ministry.

However, he did not discount the possibility that the worldwide web was not entirely unassailable.

NONE"Don't listen to rumours. The home ministry has not given such orders but you have to ask the MCMC (Malaysian Communications And Multimedia Commission)," he said

Hishammuddin (left) also said the police have the situation under control therefore, the was no necessity for military involvement in public order.

"We don't know what is going to happen tomorrow, or the day after. But under the law, there are provisions, so at the moment, we feel the police are in place, so there is no necessity to talk about the military," he told a press conference at the Bukit Aman police headquarters.

Two days ago the coalition claimed to have received information that the mobile phone networks and Internet services would be suspended this weekend.

The Bersih 2.0 steering committee said that such measures to frustrate the rally would make the authorities no different from Middle-Eastern dictators.

“Bersih 2.0 warns the federal government that should access to the mobile phone networks, the Internet, mobile 3G services, specific websites or social media be compromised in any way, then the authorities will look absolutely no different from the Middle-Eastern dictators who have used the same measures with no success whatsoever,” it said.

Bersih has vowed to go on with its second mega rally despite stern warnings from the police, who also rejected a permit for the organisers to host the gathering at Stadium Merdeka.

The authorities are steadfast on their orders to Bersih to take their rally to another indoor location outside the city.

Bersih 2.0 organisers, however, have also refused to budge from their plans as they sought the use of the stadium after striking a compromise with the government to not take the rally to the streets of Kuala Lumpur.

Two other groups, Perkasa and Umno Youth, who have also declared to march to counter Bersih, have also been denied permits, but Umno Youth has no plans of withdrawing as well.

The police have also obtained restriction orders for 91 people from Bersih, Umno Youth and Perkasa from entering the city tomorrow, and warned that they will be arrested on sight.

Nevertheless, Hishammuddin explained that the police will react according to the situation 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,” he said adding that it was a preventive measure.

“Those are precautionary measures, they were applied even before the stadium issue was raised. Whatever happens depends on what happens tomorrow,” he added after meeting the top cops today.

‘Still not too late to apply for permit outside city’

He said that it is still not too late for Bersih or the other rallying parties to apply for a police permit to hold its rally outside the city tomorrow.

“I would like to offer again, no matter who, Perkasa, the illegal organisation Bersih, or Umno Youth. If you want to hold rallies in whichever stadium outside the city, there is no problem from us,” said Hishammuddin.

“Even before my suggestion the Selangor Menteri Besar (Khalid Ibrahim) had already offered the Stadium Melawati in Shah Alam.

“If they apply today, we have no problems. Why are you stubborn on causing trouble and traffic jams for the public?” he complained, as Bersih insist on Stadium Merdeka as the congregation point for its supporters.

The minister reiterated that the government has “no other agenda except public safety” and that the police acted fairly in handling permit applications from all three parties.

Seeing that the rally organisers are going against the authorities, Hishammuddin did not sideline the possibility of arrests under the laws.

“At the end of the day, we must be clear that the safety and security of the people and nation is most important... We are ready for whatever that comes,” he said.

NONE“The priority of the government before, now, and forever is public peace and the safety of everyone... and now in particular, the people of Kuala Lumpur,” he added.

Inspector-general of police (IGP) Ismail Omar (left), who took over the rostrum from Hishammuddin, told reporters that stern measures are in place as the organisers refuse to compromise.

“Although early steps have been taken by the police... the organisers are determined to defy the law, court orders and police warnings. In fact, they have started moving into the city individually and in small groups to avoid being caught,” said Ismail.

In attempt to thwart these efforts, traffic authorities are cordoning 32 roads leading into the city starting at midnight, while public buses have been given orders to reroute to Hentian Duta.

“The police will do whatever it takes in its powers to ensure public safety and harmony is preserved,” said Ismail.