CAMERON POLLS | On a sunny late morning in the heart of Felda Sungai Koyan 2 in Pahang, a group of about 50 villagers gathered at a roadside satay restaurant awaiting the arrival of Umno veteran Hishammuddin Hussein.

When Hishammuddin finally arrived, the crowd, who are mostly armed forces veterans, greeted him like an old friend. The former Umno vice-president shook hands with them, hugged some and even ...