Parti Keadilan Rakyat is prepared to deal with interference from the outside as the party braces itself for its fourth annual congress scheduled to begin tomorrow in Seremban.

PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said in a statement today that "there will many out there who will want to derail this process (of the congress)" which will be attended by 2,500 party delegates, observers and supporters.

She viewed that this congress may well be the last one before the general election is called after the salary hike announcement for civil servants and increasing talks of petrol price reduction.

"There are others who see us as a serious threat during the elections and would act to jeopardise PKR's efforts.

"During this week, as well in the coming months, Umno will be intensifying its attacks on PKR," she said.

She expects more dirty tricks to suffice after a recent reports of internal spats surfaced in the media.

"(This includes) the sabotage of (party adviser) Anwar Ibrahim from running for and holding the post of president, people who claim hundreds of supporters leaving the party in droves and others.

"There are now even reports surfacing that suggests that there will be disturbances at and outside the congress. This only reveals the desperation of the ruling party," she said.

Usual fare of dirty tricks

On Monday, PKR Youth secretary SD Johari accused Anwar of meddling in the party elections which will be held later this week.

Then Ex-PKR Youth chief Ezam Mohd Nor lambasted the interference of top leaders in the upcoming party polls, which he described as "very unbecoming".

Meanwhile, S Nallakaruppan yesterday confirmed that he would quit PKR this Friday, taking with him several veteran grassroots Indian leaders.

According to him, his "good friend" Anwar had "misled and backstabbed" him on two occasions after assuring that he would be given a prominent role in the party.

However, Wan Azizah assured that this is simply the "usual fare of dirty tricks" which the party will face before and after the congress.

"Our party and members will be only encouraged by such challenges as they serve to further strengthen our commitment and spirit to face the coming general elections," she added.