November-December. 2025

14 Event

Keretapi Sarong brings Malaysians together in a vibrant celebration of culture and harmony

Keretapi Sarong unites people from different backgrounds.

Participants wear sarongs and traditional attire, gathering at various stations before travelling to a“ secret location” revealed only on the day. The experience transforms public transport into a joyful moving festival filled with music, laughter and togetherness.

Organised by LOCCO Malaysia, Keretapi Sarong continues to champion Malaysian culture by blending tradition with modern expression. The event is one of the strategic partners of Islamic Tourism Month( ITM) 2025, reflecting the initiative’ s spirit of inclusivity and collaboration. This year, the Islamic Tourism Centre( ITC) participated as a vendor and exhibitor, highlighting Malaysia’ s vibrant Muslim-friendly tourism offerings. Sharing the booth was Aora Spa, another ITM strategic partner, which further enriched the visitor experience. In addition, ITC promoted the ITM TikTok Challenge, encouraging participants to creatively share their travel stories and raise awareness of Malaysia’ s Muslimfriendly destinations.

In 2025, over 20,000 participants travelled from 11 Klang Valley stations in colourful sarongs under the theme

Visitors at ITC booth.

“ Serumpun”, symbolising ASEAN unity. Supported by Rapid KL, the ninth edition turned stations into mini carnivals as participants journeyed to Raintree Plaza, The Exchange TRX.

The event also featured the presence of key figures, including Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, Selangor State Executive Councillor Datuk Ng Suee Lim, and Tourism Malaysia Director General Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, who joined from

ITC participated as a vendor and exhibitor, highlighting Malaysia’ s vibrant Muslimfriendly tourism offerings.

different stations to celebrate the nation ' s shared cultural pride.

Over the years, this initiative has continued to grow, attracting more partners, government agencies, including ITC, and even local celebrities who lend their support to the cause. As Keretapi Sarong marks its 10th anniversary next year, it continues to reflect how a simple act of wearing the sarong has blossomed into a national celebration of unity, culture and Malaysian identity.- RnR

HISTORY OF KERETAPI SARONG

Keretapi Sarong was first introduced in 2012 by Random Alphabets, inspired by New York ' s No Pants Subway Ride( 2002) but reimagined to celebrate Malaysian culture and unity. The event quickly gained international attention, with editions held in London, Melbourne, Washington D. C., Boston, and Philadelphia in 2013, followed by Tokyo, Dublin, Amsterdam, and other cities in 2014.

After a three-year hiatus, LOCCO Malaysia revived the event as part of Malaysia Day celebrations, promoting the use of public transport and the wearing of traditional attire, particularly the sarong. It was paused in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but made a strong comeback in 2022 with over 5,000 participants, expanding beyond Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh.

The celebration grew in scale and spirit through 2023 and 2024, with events held in Johor Bahru, Ipoh, Kuala Terengganu, and London’ s Battersea Power Station, culminating at Lanai @ MATIC( Malaysian Tourism Centre) in Kuala Lumpur. In 2025, Keretapi Sarong returned on an even grander scale, reaffirming its place as a vibrant symbol of Malaysian unity, culture, and pride.

“ Keretapi Sarong started as a humble idea— a simple call for Malaysians to come together, wear their sarong with pride, and celebrate our cultural roots. What began as a community initiative has now become a national movement that embodies the true spirit of Malaysia.”

“ Each year, we see more people joining not just from Kuala Lumpur, but from towns and cities across the country— even from abroad. This growing participation shows how culture has the power to unite us beyond borders, languages, and generations.”

“ Keretapi Sarong is not merely an event; it’ s a journey through identity, where music, art, and tradition meet in the rhythm of the people. It reminds us that unity doesn’ t happen in speeches— it happens when Malaysians walk, sing, and move together.”

“ As we look toward Visit Malaysia 2026, we hope to continue expanding Keretapi Sarong as one of the key attractions next year— to celebrate Malaysia’ s living heritage in a way that is inclusive, creative, and proudly ours. We want every visitor to see, feel, and be part of this shared heartbeat.”

- Shamsul Bahrin Zainuzzaman, Keretapi Sarong Director.