In Malaysia that I live in, the third wave of Covid-19 is on-going. Preventive measures from Covid-19 in this country is different from those of Japan; there are no self-imposed controls. Range of activities, such as up to which city we can move, how many can dine in, are restricted by low with police supervision. Restrictions of details of everyday is out of my tune: I feel stressed. Meanwhile, it looks Malaysian people are following obediently
What is the difference?
Prof. SHIRAISHI Takashi, an international politics scholar, shared an inspiring notion in an interview article. My understanding is as follows.
“There is an implicit agreement between the people and the nation about what each other is supposed to do. In emerging countries like Malaysia, the agreement is about safety and abundance, whereas in developed countries like Japan have one more: freedom.”
Certainly, freedom is guaranteed in Malaysia in a certain degree. The country is relatively freer than other Southeast Asian countries. I have never felt restrictions before. However, in an emergency like now, freedom is significantly restricted. Nevertheless, the people do not complain about the restriction because there is an implicit agreement.
I think I can see the root cause of my stress.
What one takes granted is different in each country. This is what we experience often while we work overseas. However, I have not come across a magnificent and fundamental difference for a long time. ■