Keretapi Sarong

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Keretapi Sarong
Keretapi Sarong 2023 2.jpg
Keretapi Sarong 2023
Date Malaysia Day (2017-2023)
Saturday in September before Malaysia Day (2024-now)
VenueMajor train stations in Klang Valley, Malaysia; and other countries
Location Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; other cities and countries
Organised byRandom Alphabet (2012-2016)
LOCCO (2017-now)
GoalTo promote culture and diversity of Malaysia during Malaysia Day (since 2017)
MethodsWearing 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.

Contents

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

YearTheme"Secret Location"Meet-up StationsRef
2012n/an/a [2]
2013n/an/a [3]
2014n/an/a [1]
2015-2016Not held
2017#SayangMalaysia National Museum, Kuala Lumpur

 KG09  Bandar Utama
 SP29  Puchong Prima
 KD09  KS02  KJ28  Subang Jaya
 KJ01  Gombak
 AG18  Ampang

[4]
2018n/aMalaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC), Kuala Lumpur

 KG09  Bandar Utama
 SP24  IOI Puchong Jaya
 KD09  KS02  KJ28  Subang Jaya
 KJ01  Gombak
 AG18  Ampang

[8]
2019n/a Independence Square, Kuala Lumpur

 KG09  Bandar Utama
 KB06  KG35  Kajang
 KD09  KS02  KJ28  Subang Jaya
 KJ1  Gombak
 AG18  Ampang

[9]
2020-2021Not held due to COVID-19 pandemic
2022Retro 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]
2023Ethnicity & UnityIndependence 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]
2024Face of MalaysiaMalaysia 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]
2025SerumpunTBA

 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

  1. 1 2 Roshinee Mookaiah; Tam Xueh Wei (2014-05-06). "Sarong party time". R.AGE. The Star . Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  2. 1 2 "Sarong fun". R.AGE. The Star. 2012-03-01.
  3. 1 2 "Sarong party time". The Malaysia Reserve. 2017-03-31. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
  4. 1 2 "Naik kereta api pakai sarung". Harian Metro (in Malay). 2017-09-14. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
  5. 1 2 "Keretapi Sarong' flash mob returns in time for Malaysia Day, after two-year hiatus". The Malay Mail . 2022-09-12. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
  6. 1 2 "'Keretapi Sarong 2023' adds colour to Malaysia Day celebrations". The Malay Mail . 2023-09-16. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
  7. 1 2 "Keretapi Sarong flash mob back to jazz up Malaysia Day celebrations". The Star. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  8. ↑ "Selamba Pakai Kain Batik Naik Kereta Api" (in Malay). Astro Gempak. 2018-09-17. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
  9. ↑ "Keretapi Sarong flash mob a hit this year". The Star . 2019-09-17. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
  10. ↑ "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.
  11. ↑ "'Keretapi Sarong' returns on Sept 13, expands to Melaka". The Star . 2025-09-03. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
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