Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein has conceded that the federal government had overreacted to Bersih 2.0 by declaring the movement illegal and arresting those in yellow T-shirts.

“Yes, I think maybe we overdid it. But what happened in London (during the riots) when it was on fire? There was a lot of public outcry because of the lack of reaction from the enforcement agencies.

NONE "If something went wrong during Bersih 2.0, the allegation that we were overreacting could well have been reversed.

“But we have learned from it. For Bersih 3.0, we now have the statute. It is not about power, but the Act has given me the confidence to carry out my duties wisely and responsibly, based on the law,” he said.

Hishammuddin was quoted saying this in an interview with the Sunday Star .

In the run up to the July 9 second Bersih rally last year, the Najib administration launched a nationwide crackdown on all Bersih related activities.

This resulted in scores of arrests , allegations that the Bersih movement was infiltrated by communist agents and Hishammuddin's infamous declaration that Bersih was an illegal organisation and that its related paraphernalia were considered banned.

'Look for another venue'

As for the third Bersih rally slated for April 28, assured that the rally will not be treated as a security issue as long it is a peaceful assembly.

“It is not a security issue. So if there were to be an increase in police presence (on that day), it is only to assist those who are going to the gathering.

bersih rally 090711 police shooting into tung shin hospital "We have made clear our stand that we allow peaceful assembly. We walk the talk," said Hishammuddin.

On the choice of venue, Hishammuddin urged the Bersih coalition to look for another venue, since Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) had rejected their application to use Dataran Merdeka.

“DBKL has received three applications to gather in Dataran Merdeka, including one from Bersih.

“I expect them to be consistent in their decision (not to allow such gatherings) but that should not stop the organisers from looking for other venues," he said.

Pressure from Pakatan?

Meanwhile, Hishammuddin denied that the string of reforms - such as the abolition of the Internal Security Act (ISA) and newly introduced Peaceful Assembly Act - was due to pressure from the opposition.

"Far from it. They tried to whitewash something that we have been working on for the past three years.

"To say that doing this at the last minute and just before the coming general election, I say it is rubbish," he said.

Hishammuddin explained that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had been talking about either amending or repealing the ISA as soon as he took office in 2009.

"How on earth can the opposition be talking about that (changes being done at the last minute because the general election is near)? It is about changing circumstances," he said.

Hishammuddin said that the reforms were part of Najib's Political Transformation Programme, which also encompassed amendments to Umno's constitution and a re-look at BN's composition.

"I hope the public can see we are sincere and serious," he said.