National Infrastructure, Heritage Meet In Keretapi Sarong Event

By Abdul Hamid A Rahman

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 13 (Bernama) -- National infrastructure such as train transportation is more than steel and tracks.

As the lifeblood of the nation’s economy, it can also resonate with lifestyle, heritage and culture.

This was evident in the annual Keretapi Sarong event today when thousands of Malaysians in colourful sarongs transformed the Klang Valley’s rail network into a moving celebration of unity and identity.

From Kuala Lumpur Sentral to suburban stations, the lines pulsed with festive energy. Passengers young and old exchanged smiles as traditional cultural performances broke out on platforms while inside the carriages, commuters in checkered sarongs and floral batik shared laughter and selfies.

Malaysia Institute of Transport (MiTRANS) director and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) associate professor Dr Wan Mazlina Wan Mohamed said the celebration showed how public transport can transcend its functional role.

“The train network connects more than just places; it connects people. When this space becomes a stage for cultural expression, it demonstrates that infrastructure can carry both economic activity and the nation’s heritage,” she told Bernama.

She said events such as Keretapi Sarong also generate wider economic and social benefits.

“We see how cultural flash mobs like this stimulate the creative economy, create demand for traditional textiles and strengthen community bonds. They align well with Malaysia’s ambitions to promote itself as a culture-rich destination ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026,” she added.

Wan Mazlina noted that integrating culture into mobility helps position transportation as more than a mode of movement; it gives identity and generates a shared pride.

As trains rolled across the Klang Valley, strangers became companions, linked by a piece of fabric that once symbolised daily village life across towns and cities.

For Engku Shariful Azni Engku Ab Latif, 31, a regular commuter, the difference is clear.

“My journey is usually quiet and routine. I just fiddle with my phone. But today the atmosphere in the train was alive with the social fabric that makes up the diversity of this country.

“I felt like I was a part of something bigger; Malaysians clothed in the same fabric. I realised trains aren’t just about getting us to work, they can also carry our heritage forward,” he said.

With Malaysia preparing to welcome international visitors ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026, events like Keretapi Sarong highlight how national infrastructure, heritage and lifestyle can converge to offer experiences that resonate both locally and globally.

“Keretapi Sarong reminds us that mobility is not only about efficiency. It is also about connecting people to their roots, their pride and their shared future. That is something beyond measure,” said Wan Mazlina.

Keretapi Sarong is not just about boarding a train. It is about reconnecting with heritage while celebrating Malaysia Day in a lively, inclusive way.

The event brings together people of all ages and backgrounds, dressed in sarongs or traditional outfits, to showcase music, culture and shared traditions.

Participants gather at selected stations before journeying to a “secret destination” that is only revealed on the day itself, turning the ride into a colourful expression of unity and national pride.

-- BERNAMA