SHAH ALAM: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed confidence that the unity government will complete its full term.
Anwar, who is also PKR president, highlighted the importance of enhancing the party's ties with its political partners to remain in power for the next five years.
"For us to be a strong government, we need to have solid cooperation with our counterparts (referring to PKR's political partners within the unity government) so that we can focus on fixing the damage and developing the country and the people.
"No doubt there are efforts to shake us up, but I am confident, InsyaAllah, the government will be strong and stay for the next five years.
"Our collective responsibility is to heighten our struggles," he said in his policy speech at PKR's Special Congress at Stadium Malawati here today.
Present were PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, deputy president Rafizi Ramli and advisory council chairman Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, Parti Amanah Negara vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa and United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation's (Upko) Datuk Seri Dr Wilfred Madius Tangau also attended the event.
As at press time, no leaders from Umno or Barisan Nasional attended the congress.
Anwar expressed gratitude to Loke, Madius, and Upko president Datuk Ewon Benedick for their cooperation.
He also thanked his deputy, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Sabah chief minister and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, as well as Parti Warisan and Malaysian United Democratic Alliance.
Anwar also said he appreciated the attendance of the delegates at the congress, who numbered around 2,000, despite not getting any allowance.
"(In past protests) you (delegates) were assaulted and fired with tear gas. (Today) there are no allowances, and you have to bear your own travel expenses.
"But you still came because of the Reformasi spirit and the love for the party.
"The party's top leaders must realise that I would not be standing here if I did not have your strong support.
"This means the party has to be strong too."
Anwar said he had not forgotten his roots since becoming prime minister and he took note of remarks that his visits to supporters were becoming less frequent.
He asked to be given time as he had to resolve issues related to corruption and flood mitigation projects.
"Some said the young ones are leaving PKR because we do not reach out to them. God willing, in the upcoming state election, we will see them shift back to PKR.
"But the condition is that the party needs to be strengthened, and we need to demonstrate our good record at the federal- and state-levels under our administration," he added.