On Aug 29, Umno information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa treated top editors of the Chinese media to an exotic Japanese lunch at a five-star hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

A day earlier, party vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, when opening the Bukit Katil Umno divisional meeting in Melaka, told party members “not to lose hope” on Chinese votes despite the community “shunning Umno wholesale” at the last general election.

So, did Annuar’s luncheon with the Chinese media editors have something to do with Hishammuddin’s call to Umno members? A sort of a follow-up, perhaps?

It could very well be, but a party insider said the lunch was to “rapatkan silatulrahim”. That is Malay/Arabic for “fostering better ties” — meaning Umno wants to get friendly with the Chinese media. Well, fine.

But should Umno want the Chinese media to cooperate and help the party win Chinese support, it would be good for it to first understand the Chinese media itself.

The powers that be have always cast a suspicious eye on the local Chinese media, often unfairly accusing them of being anti-establishment. Or simply said, pro-opposition.

But the thing is this: Malaysian Chinese media organisations — most of them, anyway — give priority to the virtues of journalism and work ethics as well as the upholding of editorial policies. And they value dearly the views and needs of their audience — the Chinese community. The last thing they need is for the community to turn against them. Hence, most Chinese media outfits are free or appear to be free of “political control”.

And they fully understand, more than anybody else, how the game is played, the restrictive media regulations and the dos and don’ts. Yes, they do push the envelope and at times, got themselves in trouble with the authorities. Still, they are steadfast in their belief.

The Chinese media know how to balance things — between holding on to a “fair” editorial policy, meeting the demands of their audience and running a business.

Anyway, as Annuar’s lunch — as I was told — was merely to “foster better ties”, Umno does not have to be too concerned about all that.

So, back to Hishammuddin. When giving his advice in Melaka, he also said it was important for Umno to “prove to the Chinese that we can look after their interests”.

Incidentally, a few days ago, Umno acting deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, when officiating at the Kuala Selangor Umno divisional meeting, also said the party must “take care of non-Malay interests”.

Now, the all-important question is, just what should Umno do to win Chinese support (read votes)?

For Hishammuddin, this largely depends on how “we conduct ourselves and how to show them that our leaders can fight for them”, as Malaysiakini quoted him as saying.

Focusing on the former, I would say it means holding threatening demonstrations and marches and giving intimidating speeches and gestures against the Chinese by Umno or Umno-run non-governmental organisations are pantang (taboo). A definite no-no, then? Not even against their Chinese-based political enemy, DAP? More often than not, Umno’s attacks against the DAP somehow succeeded in hurting the feelings of the entire Chinese community instead.

A big “no” also for remarks like “Cina babi”, “balik Tongsan”, “kaum asing” and, of course, the favourite — “pendatang”?

And no more statements like “in Malaysia, everybody knows Malays are the masters of this land and anyone who touches on Malay affairs is offending our sensitivities”?

Can Umno put a stop to all that? Will it? And that is the easy part.

How would Umno deal with issues like equality and rights for all Malaysians regardless of race? Statements, justification and explanations made in the past will not cut it this time.

Umno has fashioned itself as a “defender of the Malay race”, boasting that it is something the Malays cannot live without.

Along the way, more often than not, the race card is played, whipping up a frenzy. And in an effort to stay “relevant”, Umno has maintained a us-and-them relationship with the Chinese community.

Apart from that, the party has portrayed itself as a “master” and, hence, the “master” cannot be seen having to kowtow to the “pendatang”.

How would Umno face its supporters whose sentiment the party itself has all this while fanned?

I guess it is difficult to have your kuih and makan it.

Mohsin Abdullah, now a freelancer, is a veteran journalist and former executive producer of Edge TV

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