Keretapi Sarong
 Keretapi Sarong 2023 | |
| Date | Malaysia Day (2017-2023)Saturday in September before Malaysia Day (2024-now) |
|---|---|
| Venue | Major train stations in Klang Valley, Malaysia; and other countries |
| Location | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; other cities and countries |
| Organised by | Random Alphabet (2012-2016)LOCCO (2017-now) |
| Goal | To promote culture and diversity of Malaysia during Malaysia Day (since 2017) |
| Methods | Wearing traditional sarong while riding the train and gathering at the secret location |
Keretapi Sarong is an annual flash mob event held across Malaysia, where the participants wear a traditional sarong while riding the train or rapid transit on certain days to promote Malaysian culture and diversity.[1] The event was first held in 2012, stalled for three years, and revived with the new organizer.
History
Keretapi Sarong was first introduced in the year 2012, inspired by No Pants Subway Ride flash mob in New York City in 2002 where the participants ride the subway without wearing pants for a day. [2] The first organizer of the event is Random Alphabets.
In 2013, Keretapi Sarong was also being held overseas, including in London, Melbourne, Washington, D.C., Boston and Philadelphia.[3] The 2014 edition also saw 12 cities holding the same event, such as Tokyo, Dublin, Amsterdam and London.
After the original event was not held for three years, the new organizer, Local Companion (LOCCO), revived the Keretapi Sarong flash mob event during Malaysia Day as an effort to promote the use of public transport and encourage wearing traditional attire, which is the sarong.[4]
Keretapi Sarong was not held in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia.
The 2022 edition saw the popularity of the event with 5,000 participants as well as being held for the first time outside Kuala Lumpur, which is Ipoh.[5] The 2023 edition is also being held in Johor Bahru, Ipoh and Kuala Terengganu, as well as overseas, like at Battersea Power Station in London.[6][7]
Keretapi Sarong in Kuala Lumpur
| Year | Theme | "Secret Location" | Meet-up Stations | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | n/a | n/a | [2] | |
| 2013 | n/a | n/a | [3] | |
| 2014 | n/a | n/a | [1] | |
| 2015-2016 | Not held | |||
| 2017 | #SayangMalaysia | National Museum, Kuala Lumpur | KG09 Bandar Utama SP29 Puchong Prima KD09 KS02 KJ28 Subang Jaya KJ01 Gombak AG18 Ampang | [4] |
| 2018 | n/a | Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC), Kuala Lumpur | KG09 Bandar Utama SP24 IOI Puchong Jaya KD09 KS02 KJ28 Subang Jaya KJ01 Gombak AG18 Ampang | [8] |
| 2019 | n/a | Independence Square, Kuala Lumpur | KG09 Bandar Utama KB06 KG35 Kajang KD09 KS02 KJ28 Subang Jaya KJ1 Gombak AG18 Ampang | [9] |
| 2020-2021 | Not held due to COVID-19 pandemic | |||
| 2022 | Retro Kuala Lumpur | Pavilion Kuala Lumpur | KG09 Bandar Utama KB06 KG35 Kajang KD09 KS02 KJ28 Subang Jaya KJ1 Gombak AG18 Ampang KA01 KJ15 KE1 KT1 KS01 KL Sentral KT5 KLIA T1 KT3 Putrajaya & Cyberjaya | [5] |
| 2023 | Ethnicity & Unity | Independence Square, Kuala Lumpur | KG09 Bandar Utama KB06 KG35 Kajang KD09 KS02 KJ28 Subang Jaya KJ1 Gombak AG18 Ampang KA01 KJ15 KE1 KT1 KS01 KL Sentral KT3 PY41 Putrajaya Sentral | [6][7] |
| 2024 | Face of Malaysia | Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC), Kuala Lumpur | KG10 TTDI KB06 KG35 Kajang KD09 KS02 KJ28 Subang Jaya KJ1 Gombak AG18 Ampang KA01 KJ15 KE1 KT1 KS01 KL Sentral KT3 PY41 Putrajaya Sentral PY34 UPM PY07 Sri Damansara Sentral | [10] |
| 2025 | Serumpun | Raintree Plaza, The Exchange TRX | KG08 Mutiara Damansara SP22 Kinrara BK5 KB06 KG35 Kajang KD09 KS02 KJ28 Subang Jaya KJ1 Gombak AG18 Ampang KA01 KJ15 KE1 KT1 KS01 KL Sentral KT3 PY41 Putrajaya Sentral PY34 UPM PY07 Sri Damansara Sentral | [11] |
Reactions
This program has been well received by the Malaysian train operator, Prasarana Malaysia, since the start of the event. It is also supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture of Malaysia.
References
- ^ abRoshinee Mookaiah; Tam Xueh Wei (2014-05-06). "Sarong party time". R.AGE. The Star. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
- ^ ab"Sarong fun". R.AGE. The Star. 2012-03-01.
- ^ ab"Sarong party time". The Malaysia Reserve. 2017-03-31. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
- ^ ab"Naik kereta api pakai sarung". Harian Metro (in Malay). 2017-09-14. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
- ^ ab"Keretapi Sarong' flash mob returns in time for Malaysia Day, after two-year hiatus". The Malay Mail. 2022-09-12. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
- ^ ab"'Keretapi Sarong 2023' adds colour to Malaysia Day celebrations". The Malay Mail. 2023-09-16. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
- ^ ab"Keretapi Sarong flash mob back to jazz up Malaysia Day celebrations". The Star. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
- ^"Selamba Pakai Kain Batik Naik Kereta Api" (in Malay). Astro Gempak. 2018-09-17. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
- ^"Keretapi Sarong flash mob a hit this year". The Star. 2019-09-17. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
- ^"Keretapi Sarong 2024: Klang Valley, JB, Kota Baru, Ipoh and Alor Setar take part in vibrant display of Malaysia's cultural tapestry as event goes global, reaches Paris and Berlin". The Malay Mail. 2024-09-14. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
- ^"'Keretapi Sarong' returns on Sept 13, expands to Melaka". The Star. 2025-09-03. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
External links
Media related to Keretapi Sarong at Wikimedia Commons
