February 14,
2020
Amidst all the
sad headlines on coronavirus or COVID-2019 outbreak, a Japanese song “Ue o
Muite Arukou” by Kyu Sakamoto or known as “Sukiyaki” released in 1961 keeps
ringing in my head.
“I look up
when I walk, So that the tears won’t fall, Remembering those spring days,…..Happiness
lies beyond the clouds, Happiness lies above the sky……Sadness lies in the
shadow of the stars, Sadness lurks in the shadow of the moon”.
How could we
put our heads up amidst the sad and sudden circumstances?
When human
lives are concerned, we cannot avoid being emotional. Worse still, the world is
fighting a novel virus that has much to be known. The panic and fear, health
and medical risks, economic risks, containment measures, confidence on
authorities are complex issues to handle and how to handle them with maximum
calmness and assurance require an extremely strong nerve.
Under the
snow, Prime Minister Hun Sen and his entourage visited Beijing on 5 February,
without masks. Cambodia is lending moral support with “foot on the ground”,
being the first and by far the only foreign leader to visit China after the
outbreak when many countries have been distancing themselves from China,
issuing travel ban, etc.
His Majesty the King Norodom Sihamoni and Her Majesty Queen Mother even donated
their personal wealth to the cause.
Another event has turned the world upside down. A small country that is often
portrayed negatively in international media shocked the world with awe.
Cambodia dared
to receive all passengers and crew aboard Holland America’s MS Westerdam cruise
ship, which docked in Sihanoukville, after medical clearance that showed that
none of them were infected with COVID-19. The MS Westerdam, owned by Holland
America Line, was turned away by five countries before finally docking in
Cambodia, with 1,455 guests and 802 crew members of 41 nationalities on board.
They were
welcome with Khmer traditional scarves “Kroma”, and roses on Valentine’s
day,“day of love.”
Dr. Tedros
Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, wrote
on his Twitter, “Cambodia exemplifies the international solidarity we have
consistently been calling for. I am deeply grateful to the government,
particularly Prime Minister Hun Sen, for accepting the Westerdam and its
passengers. It’s time for solidarity, not stigma.”
US Ambassador
Patrick Murphy wrote various notes on his Twitter, “We greatly appreciate the
support of the Cambodian authorities and people in assisting all passengers on
the Westerdam”, and “Heartwarming sights in Sihanoukville as passengers begin
disembarking from the Westerdam – with Cambodian hospitality on full display.”
The Delegation of the European Union to Cambodia wrote on their Facebook page,
“The EU Delegation to Cambodia would like to thank the Cambodian authorities
for authorising the docking of the Westerdam, and to express its sympathy to
the passengers and crew members of the ship, hoping they will soon be safely
repatriated.”
Human rights
and human life actually has similar a rhyme.
Humanity and
compassion is in full blown and it humbly shines from Cambodia, “a small
country with a big heart.”
Sim Vireak
Strategic Advisor of Asian Vision Institute (AVI)
Strategic Advisor of Asian Vision Institute (AVI)
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