The Johor snap state election campaign seemed active on social media with Tan Sri Muhyiddin and Tun Dr Mahathir on a suspiciously coordinated do-or-die mission to attack Dato Seri Najib.
However, the ground campaigning and narratives for the first week is relatively subdued. One seasoned campaign operator sighed and described the state election as "boring".
It lacked significance to the current social, economic and political predicament of the day. There is insufficient emphasis on reviving Johor's economy and foreign investment.
Merely repeating GE14 campaign theme to attack heavy favourite BN using corruption, 1MDB and character attack. Having failed as government, PH and PN ran out of ideas. They failed disastrously in a stream of by- and state elections. Yet still playing the same tune.
Those keen for a fresh story line should scutinise the PN's fund raising dinner at Austin International Convention Centre, Johor Baru on Thursday night, two nights ago on March 4th.
There are sordid going-ons and sensation to it which is representative of the wrongs of the PH and PN era of government.
Half naked girlie show
The video of half naked girls dancing and flaunting their thighs and legs on stage attracted the social media.
Those not aware or refuse to believe Muhyiddin's infidelity should be shocked to see the son of a renown Islamic religious teacher of Muar clapping and enjoying the sight.
It is certainly sacrilegious for the seemingly pious Muhyiddin to allow the girlie show.
The former Prime Minister read prayers during his live announcement during the pandemic, recently issued an edict claiming leaving UMNO for PN is encouraged by Islam, and call on Najib to feel shame for being convicted.
Muhyiddin should feel also ashame because the dinner is not WYSIWYG or what you see is what you get. The person next to him clapping with joy is Dato Tan Choon Hwa or usually called as JP Tan.
Despite the official claim it is organised by Parti Gerakan (see poster), PN's Executive Secretary, Saiful Adli issued a denial and said it is organised by Chinese Business Community of Johor.
The coalition government is heedless because remnants of Muhyiddin's #kerajaangagal is still at large. His hands are still dictating Dato Seri Ismail Sabri from behind and need be chopped off immediately!
The development on the Tim Leisner revelation in US court have suppressed the usual reaction to harsh name callings of thief, no shame or corrupt levelled at Najib.
The shock-and-awe of 2018 is not working and public seemed to be giving Najib the benefit of the doubt. Certain quarter of the public is beginning to believe Najib is a victim of Mahathir's fix-up and systematic execution.
Boss Ku is today a crowd puller to Chinese voters. The anti-Najib wave of 2018 has reversed to a Malu Apa Boss Ku wave across all races, age and faith.
Continuing their campaign theme only kept BN winning elections since the Cameron Highland by-election till the recent Melaka state election.
The slight setback would be the Sabah state election, but it was a strategic error. Perhaps, to claim credit, the landslide Sarawak state election rode the same momentum too.
Multicorner fights
The earlier mentioned season campaigner's frustration is perhaps a positive indication that the campaign is easy picking for BN.
Gerakan, PAS, Muda, Pejuang and Warisan could be written off as insignificant. Party insider prediction PPBM getting 3 to 6 seats. PKR could pick up a few seats.
Seats gathered by DAP will be the focus. How many would MCA regain?
Similar to the Sabah state election, the multicorner fights does not make it easy to predict outcome.
The difference between Sabah and Johor is the internal in-fighting in UMNO is significantly less here.
If there is the remote possibility of a close tie similar to Sabah, PPBM could join up with PKR. Muhyiddin have been seen talking to Anthony Loke.
So where would PAS be?
They are not amused with the girlie show.
The decision remain with the voters - whether the turnout is high or low. With campaign less lively, opposition fear a low turnout and are urging voters to balik kampong.
There are several reasons to view the campaign as less lively than usual.
Firstly, the rapid spread of the milder Omicron variant of the Corona Covid-19 is a concern. The SOP is more flexible than the snap state election in Melaka, but it could turn off voters.
Secondly, the country is suffering from political fatigue and voters are more concerned with their livelihood than politics.
Third and last, voters may have made up their mind. That is the most worrisome to any political parties. It is an indication that voters are set to swing for another wave.