Keretapi Sarong
Annual cultural event in Malaysia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
Saturday in September before Malaysia Day (2024-now)
LOCCO (2017-now)
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 |
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 |
[4] |
| 2018 | n/a | Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC), Kuala Lumpur |
KG09 Bandar Utama |
[8] |
| 2019 | n/a | Independence Square, Kuala Lumpur |
KG09 Bandar Utama |
[9] |
| 2020-2021 | Not held due to COVID-19 pandemic | |||
| 2022 | Retro Kuala Lumpur | Pavilion Kuala Lumpur |
KG09 Bandar Utama |
[5] |
| 2023 | Ethnicity & Unity | Independence Square, Kuala Lumpur |
KG09 Bandar Utama |
[6][7] |
| 2024 | Face of Malaysia | Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC), Kuala Lumpur |
KG10 TTDI |
[10] |
| 2025 | Serumpun | Raintree Plaza, The Exchange TRX |
KG08 Mutiara Damansara |
[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.
