How to use PyQGIS ( Python QGIS API ) to open/close Update Drawing Order checkbox in QGIS2's Layers (Legend Interface)

Question

Thanks qgis 2, the Legend Interface (layers dockwidget) now has Update Drawing Order check box on right-click mouse context menu. I think this feature can let user temporally closes rendering, then changes order of layers without no-used rendering.
And how to use PyQGIS control this feature??

Btw, the PyQGIS API iface.legendInterface().moveLayer( layer, group_index )
in qgis, group_index include any layer and group (on top level?), but
in qgis2, group_index just include group

e.g. If the layer/group structure:

--layer1  
--group1  
  --layer2  
  --layer3  

To move layer1 to group 1
in qgis, use qgis.utils.iface.legendInterface().moveLayer( layer1, 1 )
in qgis2, use iface.legendInterface().moveLayer( layer1, 0 )

Edit:
I use moveLayer, but mapCanvas doesn't refresh, even I use mapCanvas.refresh()

iface.legendInterface().moveLayer( iface.activeLayer(), 0) # activeLayer move to top of gruop in layer legend, but mapCanvas doesn't refresh
iface.mapCanvas().refresh() #nothing happened

But I uncheck and then check Update Drawing Order, it works.
How could I refresh mapCanvas after layer moved??
If I can use PyQGIS to uncheck and check Update Drawing Order, it will work.

Answer 1

To stop rendering you need to call:

canvas.freeze(True)

then to undo:

canvas.freeze(False)
canvas.refresh()