Three weeks later, it is continuing and probably end on Nov 19 after the victors stand over the vanquished. The claims and statements (sometimes bordering on absurdity) have been on the menu of leaders, candidates and even observers.

The culture of owning up to mistakes and saying “The buck stops with me” is not even in their culture, let alone their dictionaries. They can still tell white lies with a straight face in the belief that voters will swallow them - hook, line and sinker.

That belief prompted caretaker prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to “offer bullets” to his party to fire at the previous Pakatan Harapan government.

This is what he infamously said: “I have given you bullets. In the (Tommy) Thomas case, we exposed (the report) by the special task force. I have given lots of bullets here.”

But it has spectacularly misfired, ricocheted and hurt Ismail Sabri and his party more than the intended target. Through his own words, he admitted declassifying the report on the conduct of the former attorney-general was a political ploy.

Now even the appointment of the task force is under a cloud and Thomas has loudly labelled it as “illegal” and has sought orders from the court to nullify the report. The Bar Council, too, has its reservations.

But neither Ismail Sabri nor his comrades have stepped to the plate and answered many serious charges made in Thomas’ affidavit.

Uragt : PH is still the best & only combination of politicians available to save the nation. The alternative is the return of the failed structure of Umno or worse a Unity govt meaning the end of any genuine opposition

Koel : Zahid's comments at MIC congress was indeed an interesting insight into why BN's crooked bosses keep their underlings' loyalties. The possible veiled threats at all the grinning lieutenants was clear. They cannot afford to lose patronage. He has them by their goolies! Poor beggars.