A tale of two nails

Repositioning: Dr Akmal (left) and KJ at the Umno Youth General Assembly on Saturday. Dr Akmal quit a state exco position to consolidate his power while KJ’s by-invitation appearance looks like the beginning of a return from the political wilderness. — Photos: Bernama

WHAT does a paku (nail) have to do with the political fortunes of Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh?

Earlier this week, I had coffee in Kuala Lumpur with Ilham Centre executive director Hisomuddin Bakar. We discussed the shifting political landscape, touching on Dr Akmal, Khairy Jamaluddin (KJ), and former deputy prime minister Tun Musa Hitam, as well as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s investigation into a former minister and the 2025 Sabah elections.