The Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) on Saturday held its 42nd congress at the Koh Pich Convention and Exhibition Centre in the capital to review its achievements for last year and set this year’s targets.

Presided by Prime Minister Hun Sen, who is also CPP president, a total of 3,420 party members attended, including those in the Standing Committee and Central Committee.

CPP honorary president Heng Samrin said the party’s efforts have brought about change and prosperity for the Kingdom, though many challenges remain to be addressed.

The CPP is on the right track and has gained the people’s support, he said. They have joined the CPP in all stages of its development, helping it overcome obstacles along the way.

“The party has prepared various strategies and tactics to take the CPP’s platform and political programmes of the government a step further in 2020.

“The strategies will deal with the potential problems that may stem from the implementation of our tasks … or other malicious actions carried out to destroy society.

“Based on a series of lessons and experiences that the CPP has gained, we firmly believe that the progress of the Cambodian nation will move forward with more energetic steps,” he said.

Samrin said the 2018 elections forced the party to step up its responsibilities for the nation and its people.

“More than one year ago, the CPP, with Hun Sen as a great guide, led the country to accomplish new and even greater achievements, including national independence and sovereignty, territorial integrity, peace, political stability, security, social order and authority which are firmly maintained and protected,” he said.

A communique issued after the congress expressed deep gratitude for countrymen at home and abroad for helping maintain peace and taking an active role in stopping and foiling “extremist opposition groups” that attempted to overthrow the legitimate government and change the monarchy in Cambodia.

“The congress continues to urge the implementation of the toughest measures to strengthen security, public order and social safety to maintain the people’s mental and physical peace as well as strengthen the trust of business people,” the communique said.

Former Cambodia National Rescue Party lawmaker Ou Chanrath said the introduction of strategies to maintain the CPP’s power through elections and gain support from the public was the right move.

However, he said, using complicated strategies to intimidate others and violate their rights were not. “It is normal in efforts to maintain the power of a party.

“But what is of concern is the party’s plans and strategies to stop and destroy other Khmers. Accusing other Khmers of attempting to disturb peace in the nation will lead to misunderstandings between Khmers themselves.

“I believe the CPP will have trouble holding on to power because the people want to see new systems of leadership and new leaders,” he said.

CPP spokesman Sok Eysan could not be reached for comment on Sunday.