He said words such as “adinda”, “kekanda” and other terms of endearment were typically used in private letters or conversations between lovers, family or close friends.

Speaking to FMT, Samad said while such words were not generally used in normal conversations, they were sometimes used “jokingly” and were still being used in some Bangsawan (Malay opera) performances.

“There is nothing wrong with using such words in your writing, chatting with one and another, but never in the open.

“Sure, it shows you love that person by using such words, but when it involves politicians, you have to be extra careful, as it might have other connotations which might be negative.

“You then unconsciously enter wrong boundaries and end up endangering yourself.

“Best to keep it private. Sometimes, people do not realise, these are sensitive times, you have to choose your sentences, adjectives and nouns carefully in your writing,” he said.

Samad was asked to comment on a recent open letter posted by minister Mujahid Yusof Rawa to PKR’s Nurul Izzah Anwar to rethink her decision to quit her senior posts in the party. The post went viral on social media.

Netizens have since poked fun at Mujahid’s use of classical Malay words such as “adinda” (younger sister) and “kekanda” (older brother).

Mujahid told the eldest daughter of Anwar Ibrahim that he could “hardly sleep thinking about your condition after your recent decision”.

“My dear Nurul Izzah, your name means light (Nur) that is filled with honour (Izzah),” reads another line in the letter titled “Letter from Cordova”.

Among others, Mujahid, the son of the late PAS strongman Yusof Rawa, told Nurul that they both shared similar life experiences due to their fathers’ political careers.

“The old sayings come to mind, the apple does not fall far from the tree,” Mujahid said, using a Malay saying with the same meaning.