[PHOTOS] Malaysians show love for culture, country at Keretapi Sarong in traditional outfits

KERETAPI Sarong returns after a two-year hiatus, and the event was held at train stations around Kuala Lumpur. The flash mob has become an annual tradition to celebrate Malaysia day, the local culture and heritage.

For many Malaysians, it is an opportunity to flaunt their love for sarongs, batiks and ‘pelikat. Despite being a public holiday, the event drew more than 3,000 people from all races and states.  

Deena Azmi, an enthusiast of Keretapi Sarong, says it is “the only event I don’t mind waking up early for on a public holiday.”

Founded in 2012, the programme is organised by local NGO Locco to highlight the diversity of Malaysian culture and encourage the use of public transportation. The theme for this year’s Keretapi Sarong is Retro Kuala Lumpur.

“This is the sixth year Locco is organising this special event in conjunction with Malaysia Day. The objective of Keretapi Sarong is to celebrate our culture, music, and traditions.” 

The programme director, Shamsul Bahrin Zainuzzaman, told Harian Metro that this year’s Keretapi Sarong will begin simultaneously at seven RapidKL’s train stations and Express Rail Link (ERL) station. 

The stations involved include the Subang Jaya LRT line, Gombak, and Ampang’s LRT stations, as well as the Bandar Utama and Kajang’s MRT stations. 

“For this year, we have added a few more stations, which are the KLIA Transit station and Putrajaya as well as the KL Sentral’s KTM station to widen public access. The KL Sentral KTM station will be the meeting point for participants using the KTM Komuter and KLIA Transit,” he said. 

“We will depart from the stations at 9am. Groups move from the starting stations to the final location before walking towards our ‘secret’ location. Locco will post live updates on our travel locations on our Instagram page, @locco.my,” he shared.

Volunteer units stationed within the various venues lead participants to an undisclosed final location, conducting cultural activities, games, and sing-along sessions along the way. 

The event culminated with dance performances by Anomalist Productions and theatre showcase by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Institut Alam dan Tamadun Melayu.

Keretapi Sarong ended with an award ceremony, with prizes for best-dressed male, female, senior citizen, children, and cosplayer in a sarong. 

For the first time, Locco collaborated with Kelab Sosial Ipoh to run the flash mob event concurrently in Perak at KTMB Ipoh’s station. The event is making waves on social media, with many sharing their outfits and pictures from today’s gathering. 

This is what these kids think of retro: Aiysha doing 1980s valley girl and Aliya 1990s goth. #keretapisarong22 pic.twitter.com/jMRtlbQJhG

— MokcikNab (@mokciknab) September 16, 2022

We giving ✨retro✨#HariMalaysia2022 #KeretapiSarong22 pic.twitter.com/n33RyVAIzs

— ??‍♀️? (@mmmmmmmaira) September 16, 2022

Making friends by joining #KeretapiSarong22 pic.twitter.com/bDVGmyCZr5

— AMAL✨| IREPAIRYOURPHONE ? (@amlnzm_) September 16, 2022

The Vibes dispatched photographers to capture moments from the event and these were the stunning results. Despite a two-year absence, the enthusiasm has not dwindled. Aiina Sumayyah from Damansara said it was her first time attending the event and that the energy within the crowd is ecstatic. 

Another first-time participant, Jeremy from Sri Petaling, clad in a beautiful yellow qipao, also described the mood of the event as absolutely festive. – The Vibes, September 16, 2022