COMMENT | Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah caused quite a stir recently when he branded PAS a "political prostitute" that must be defeated in the coming 15th general election.

The Umno veteran’s key grievance against PAS was that “the Islamic party’s actions in previous by-elections have shown how the party could not be trusted to help Umno”.

Razaleigh’s usage of the demeaning “political prostitute” term has surprised and even shocked many. His critiques have deemed it “inappropriate” language, coming from a man of Razaleigh’s stature.

But I believe it was an indication of Razalaigh’s deep resentment and mistrust for PAS and that he must have been very agitated and frustrated that Umno’s top leaders were still cosy with the enemy, despite his repeated warnings.

The Kelantan prince should know the “inside out” of politics of the party which has ruled his home state since 1990. That, we do not doubt.

Of course, using “prostitute” as a derogatory word for politicians is not new. Political commentators and writers, including me, have been using it for as long as I can remember.

If you think that it’s only male politicians who are fond of the “political prostitute” term, you couldn’t be more way off...