I do think they keep delaying the application on purpose. Before pandemic, AOR was relatively fast, but still the overall processing time was very slow.Remember, it also depends on how fast you get AOR. If you get AOR within a month or two after submitting your application, then your processing time SHOULD relatively (not saying will) be faster, unless they keep delaying the application on purpose.
For myself, I got DM on Nov. 16, but still no portals. They just have many ways to delay the process, like not sending portals, or even after portals, not giving COPRs (many are waiting for months after portal 2 for COPRs.)