Ann: Malaysian Operating Licence Update, page-69

Americans are better than Aussies when it comes to handling cultures. My experience is that it is much easier to work with American expats in Asia. They have more humour and more respect for cultures. The American girls are great when it comes to cultural sensitivity. The men were more willing to learn local languages than Aussie men ... I am from Australia yet I find it difficult to work with Aussies especially the ones under 35. Respect is a huge issue. The Brits might be arrogant inside but they are very charming outside and more reserved. The men are quite gentlemanly and often apologise before they really know what the problem really is. It's so funny when A Brit guy apologised when only got asked "Do you even know why I am upset?" And he did not know why

Americans do at least pretend to listen to reasons and try to compromise. Aussie tend to listen openly with the attitude "What's in it for me? What's the consideration for my own interests?" That put them at the level of the locals that they throw their arrogance against. This is what Aussies have to learn and avoid. That's why the Malaysian government always had issues with the Australian government and Penny Wong knows enough to stay away from criticism. Look at how the John Howard government bullied East Timor! Aussies were outraged when the ANU awarded an honour to the former prime minister of Singapore Mr Lee Senior. He called Aussies the reformed white trash. He once said Aussies were risking becoming the white trash (reference Gone With The Wind). Then he later said "But they have changed". Yet he faced the wrath of many Aussies. Both Singapore and Malaysia are the best democracies in SEA. Malaysia seems to be the better one as Singapore is a bit like a party dictatorship.

I do not think Lynas did anything wrong. But a lot of people here think Malaysians do not have the right to NOT LIKE radioactive waste. Australian companies only decide to set up overseas because they hope for lower environmental standards, cheaper labour and a chance to bribe weak governments ... using their local partners. If they think they can do better in Australia they would have set up here.