PKR must not allow internal forces destroy it like the Malacca sultanate, said party president Anwar Ibrahim.

“I started the phrase ‘lawan tetap lawan’, not ‘lawan dengan kawan’,” he said at the 14th PKR Congress in Malacca today.

Addressing recent events that culminated in clashes at the PKR youth meeting yesterday, Anwar said discipline and obedience are important for the party to survive.

He said although PKR have had their challenges, the party has gotten past them as the leaders are united and disciplined.

“Particularly, when we were poor and pressured. But after we have power, there have been all sorts of problems.

“As such, I ask everyone to return to the reform agenda.”

Speaking for the first time about the party’s decision to allow deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali launch the youth congress, Anwar said it was not an easy decision.

“I held a meeting and listened to grievances. PKR youth and Akmal Nasir (youth chief) were unhappy but they saw the big picture and gave way. The other side should also accept the decision.

“This has been a great congress but the yesterday’s incidents had marred it. The whole world was buzzing with the news, causing many of our detractors to say that we are lost,” said Anwar.

“Let us unite again.”

Earlier in his speech, Anwar said the Malacca sultanate’s downfall was caused by envy and technological prowess of the Portuguese.

“The Malacca bendahara (prime minister) had given land to the Portuguese to use as a warehouse as they only wanted to trade. But Si Kitol was jealous and hatched a plan with Portuguese trader Diogo Lopes de Sequira to turn it into a fort.

“Hence, Malacca attacked and burnt the fort. Si Kitol then slandered the prime minister resulting in his family getting slaughtered. Thus, began the fall of the 109-year-old sultanate.”

He said the simple betrayal resulted in a 400-year colonisation of Malacca.

“Thus, the glorious Malay Malacca era ended in tragedy and was colonised.”

He also spoke about the economy and poverty.

He said Malaysia’s economy has stagnated for the past 10 years and more efforts were needed to correct this.

He added that the poverty level has been misreported as the previous government was using data from the 1970s.

“As we continue to give feedback to the government, we must understand that it inherited a lot of problems and need time to rectify the situation.

“But the government must resolve the PTPTN (National Higher Education Fund Corporation) issue as it affects many people.

“As we try to reform the police, let’s not be too quick about the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission.

“We want to reform the police, not blame them for everything.” – December 7, 2019.