COMMENT | For the past 14 days and more - if the pre-election rhetoric is included, Malaysians have been inundated with messages aimed at persuading how they should vote.

From threats to sweeteners and promises of money and a place in paradise hereafter, they were all summed up as “campaigning”.

Even minions in the party had their five minutes of fame threatening to vote for the other side if former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak was not released.

Fortunately, the “justice for Najib” catchphrase which featured prominently in the November hustings, has been conveniently sent into oblivion because of political expediency.

But instead emerged far more damaging issues - race and religion which were exploited by many candidates....