COMMENT | Prostitutes are more honourable than politicians
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...
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.
Even women politicians find it necessary at times to fire the stinging “prostitute” salvo at their opponents, particularly those who had crossed the red line.
An example is Umno Puteri chief Zahida Zarik Khan who did not mince her words with Umno deserters who left soon after the fall of Umno/BN in the 14th general election (GE14).
At the Umno assembly in 2018, Zahida had angrily, but rightly, called the deserters “political prostitutes” who were in the political arena for selfish reasons.
I certainly enjoyed the young lady’s language. Besides “political prostitutes”, she also had another term for those who had betrayed Umno – “political miners”.
Zahida said that the party is witnessing the presence of political miners (pelombong politik) who are active in politics only when there are political gains to be obtained.
Three years later, her words still ring true, not only within Umno but across the wide political spectrum.
This month alone, we have also witnessed a couple of MPs "prostituting" themselves – selling their heart and soul to the highest bidder. Or to borrow from Zahida – indulging in political mining to fill their pockets with precious stones.
On record, there are some 65 MPs who have crossed the floor since GE14. What a shameless, treacherous group of parasites! No one is surprised that politicians are the least trusted and the most despised group in the eyes of the public today.
This past week, an interesting message about “prostitutes and politicians” has been circulated widely. It read tongue-in-cheek: "Prostitutes do not take your money and then sleep with another man unlike politicians who take your votes and then support someone else.
"Prostitutes do not disguise themselves as virgin nuns, unlike politicians who acted holier-than-thou but ended up raping the people.
"Prostitutes serve you as promised in exchange for a fee, unlike politicians whose promises in their manifesto are all lies.
"Prostitutes use their body to give you satisfaction, unlike politicians who use their smooth tongue/sweet words to trick you.
“So, please don’t compare them with politicians. Prostitutes are way more honourable.”
I congratulate the writer of the message and I wish to let him know that I, and probably many others too, agree with him.
The fundamental idea behind the concept of prostitution is that someone is willing to provide a perverted service to another in return for a payment.
But where the big difference lies between the sex workers and political prostitutes is that political prostitutes are politicians who engage in selling their influence and power in an effort to secure personal achievements and gains.
Politicians cheat and lie to the people. They steal from the public coffers and harm the nation and people in the process. Prostitutes do none of the above. They hurt no one.
So, remember this. Do not compare politicians with prostitutes. It’s almost unfair too.
Politicians are parasites, leeches, suckers, morons, corrupt, untrustworthy and shady characters.
Prostitutes are way more honourable!
FRANCIS PAUL SIAH is the author of Hijack in Malaysia: The Fall of Pakatan Harapan. Obtain autographed copies from sirsiah@gmail.com.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
Yes, calling politicians "political prostitutes" is defamatory of that old profession.