Poll says Australians are racist

JAKARTA (JP): Many business leaders in Asia say Australians are racist, according to the latest Asian Executives Poll.

The poll, carried by the Far Eastern Economic Review and Asia Business News, said 44.2 percent of business executives across Asia considered Australians to be racist.

When asked if they would describe Australians, in general, as racist, those topping the "Yes" list included respondents in Indonesia (59.1 percent), South Korea (70%) and Malaysia (58.8 percent).

In contrast, only 7.7 percent of Australians consider themselves to be racist.

Of those polled, 77.8 percent in Japan said immigrants in their country received the same treatment from the public as Asians did in Australia.

Overall, 50.5 percent of respondents said immigrants in their respective countries were treated no better than Asians were in Australia.

But 88.2 percent of respondents in Singapore said immigrants were treated better in their country.

In South Korea, 80 percent of those polled said Australia's anti-Asian rhetoric made it less attractive for investment. But 51 percent of all the business leaders surveyed said Australia's rhetoric did not make it less attractive for Asian investment.(hen)