성년의 날 (Seong-Neon-ei-Nal) atau Coming-of-Age Day adalah sambutan ‘peralihan seseorang dari zaman kanak-kanak ke alam dewasa.’ Perayaan ini disambut mengikut dengan cara berbeza mengikut masyarakat masing-masing. Ia boleh menjadi acara yang mudah atau boleh menjadi sebahagian daripada upacara disambut secara besar-besaran mengikut kepada kepercayaan negara itu. Perubahan ini biasanya dikaitkan dengan kematangan sama ada dari segi fizikal, mental atau emosi.

Di Korea Selatan, hari Isnin minggu ketiga bulan Mei adalah “Hari Coming-of-Age“ atau dalam bahasa Korea, 성년 의 날. Semua orang yang mencapai umur 20 tahun pada tahun tersebut akan meraikan hari tersebut. Apabila seseorang mencapai umur 20 tahun, dia dikatakan harus mempunyai rasa tanggungjawab sebagai seorang dewasa, untuk menghormati diri, bangsa, negara dan agama mereka.

Baru-baru ini, disebabkan oleh pengaruh Barat, ia telah menjadi tradisi bagi bagi sesiapa yang meraikan di Korea Selatan untuk menerima tiga hadiah - bunga, minyak wangi dan ciuman. Di sesetengah tempat, satu majlis tradisional juga akan diadakan. Tradisi ini telah dikendalikan sebelum Goryeo dinasti. Semasa acara ini, sesiapa yang meraikan akan memakai pakaian tradisional Korea bersama-sama dengan aksesori. Lelaki memakai Gat, topi tradisional Korea yang diperbuat daripada buluh dan bulu kuda, dan perempuan melakukan rambut mereka di chignon dengan binyeo, hiasan tradisional Korea.

Hari ini, muda-mudiKorea Selatan yang dilahirkan pada tahun 1994 (mengikut kiraan Korea, anak-anak yang dilahirkan pada tahun 1994 pada tahun ini berumur 20 tahun) menjadi generasi baru orang dewasa di negara mereka. Tahniah kepada mereka yang akan menyambut hari ini. Semoga anda semua berjaya dalam laluan yang anda akan pilih.

sumber : http://teacherspage.wordpress.com/2012/05/21/no-longer-children-coming-of-age-day-in-south-korea/

The nation has undergone its 13^th General Election, witnessing Barisan Nasional to obtain simple majority out of 222 seats contested. Whether that majority vote could be seen as legitimate mandate from the people is opened to various discussion and opinions. No doubt, in every major event occurring, people tend to decipher differently. This is the virtue of human mental faculty existence, in which, different souls have different kind of view. As an inferior and inexperience political science researcher, I am glad that fellow Malaysians have reached to different consciousness in a particular issue. We are indeed diverse individuals contrary to the prediction of Herbert Marcuse’s One Dimensional Man.[1]

Our conscience has uplifted. The society’s maturity is enhanced as democracy is not only preached and taught, but also participated widely by all levels of life ranging from 21 year old and above. 3 million new voters have registered to vote, on which had tremendously increased with every 3 months at 563 471, 600 406, and 625 200 in Selangor alone.[2] Participative democracy has become a trend in our Boleh-lah Land and we hope more will be achieved in 5 years time. We practice our rights by defending (as much as we can) the election from foreign intervention. Regardless of races, we stood as early before the sun rises, and remained till the ballot box is sealed at 1730. We realized how sacred the Rakyat’s voices and guard it with all of our hearts.

The Malay saying that frequently heard during schooling years whether in sports and debating competition – Adat pertandingan ada yang menang ada yang kalah. Yang kalah tidak semestinya tidak berjaya. And that is the mantra in life. At some points, you will win and another, you will loose.

However, what strikes me shockingly (rather worryingly) is the reaction from fellow Malaysians post May 5^th. The despair and despondency reach all Bangsa Malaysia souls like me to learn that the nation has divided, leaving the nationals into massive quarrelling and slandering – making our nation-building process distorted or moving backward.

I despise racial card been put to justify electoral decisions as there is nothing wrong in choosing Party X or Party Z in a democratic-setting country.

I am furious to know that our internal conflict has been spread to foreign leader’s wall page as this is an internal matter of our country and must (and never) resolve to foreign intervention. To this people, I suggest you look further into Iraq, Afghanistan, or Pakistan before you sign whatever petitions.

I disdain some of us intended Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to take back Malaysia as Great Britain’s colonial state. To these people, you should realise the state of our motherland for 446 years (since Portuguese settlement in 1511 till the end of British colonialisation in 1957), we have been treated as slaves on our own land.

I am ashamed of my 2 series and 3 series generation, who changed their FB profile picture black indicating our nation has turned into a complete darkness and destruction. Believe you me, our nation is not doomed, but very much alive and growing!!! The fact that you and I are taking the lead in this national building process signifies hope (a big one) that the nation will eventually transform into a better state – a place for everyone to call home. It is just that the journey is rather challenging and daunting but in every tunnel, there is always the light at the end. Also, to those who captured Jalur Gemilang in black up sided down, please repent and apologise. Why on earth the nation has to be punished (and embarrassed in such manner) for the act of its certain nationals?

Let’s ask ourselves, aren’t we all have the same dream for our country?

Vision 2020 is just seven years ahead than us. There are still many work ought to be done. Our brothers and sisters in rural areas are still deprived of having access to quality education. People who live below Poverty Line Index (PLI) could still be spotted even in urban cities. The gap between rural and urban areas, the inequality gap between societal classes are just few to be highlighted. These are the haunting issues that need to be addressed. Aren’t these merit important in our attention for a better Malaysia? Must we all wait the politicians, ministers, and MPs to solve these while we are still mourning of the GE13 results?

My hats off to Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah of Johore for she believes, “helping others and fighting for causes does not change because this or that political party won. I still have many more battles to fight, with or without politicians’ help.” (Quote from Her Majesty, 6 May 2013)

So after reading this, don’t we still have the dreams for Malaysia? The very dream to witness our country to prosper physically and spiritually.

A dream for Malaysia to be called home to all races. A dream for all subjects to live happily as Malaysians regardless of religious beliefs, political dogma, ethnical diversity even skin colours. A dream for the nation to be governed with good governance, rule of law, religious sanctity and equality for all subjects.

If so, shall we stop bickering and pointing others, and come together as an entity for change?

A wise scholar once said:

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” Rumi

And I say, KUK, lets bring this on!!!

PS :Although my membership to the organisation has not been recognized until recent (since my name is no where to be found in Ahli 2013 list), I still thank you KUK. (^_^)

Bersempena dengan Tahun Melawat Malaysia 2014, Pejabat Tourism Malaysia dengan kerjasama Perwakilan Seoul dan Kedutaan Besar Malaysia akan mengadakan program “1Malaysia Spring Sunday Market” yang bertujuan untuk memperkenalkan konsep pasar malam kepada masyarakat Korea disamping mempromosikan tradisi rakyat Malaysia.

Butiran program adalah seperti berikut:

Tarikh: 12 Mei 2013 (Ahad)
Masa: 11 pagi~6 petang
Tempat: Perkarangan tempat letak kereta Kedutaan Besar Malaysia di Seoul, Korea Selatan

Kami juga akan menyertai acara ini dengan membuka booth menjual sate dan macam-macam lagi.

Mari beramai-ramai memeriahkan acara ini disamping mempromosi budaya dan makanan Malaysia!

Jumpa anda di sana!