Keretapi Sarong: 2,000 turn Ipoh station into a colourful Malaysia Day celebration

IPOH: The Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) station here was transformed into a colourful celebration of Malaysia's multicultural identity today, with about 2,000 people taking part in Keretapi Sarong in traditional and retro-themed attire.

Participants began gathering at 8am, with many dressed in outfits representing the country's diverse cultures and ethnicities.

Held in conjunction with Malaysia Day, the event featured cultural performances, traditional games and community activities.

Among the participants was 18-year-old mechanical engineering student Lye Fong Yeng from Malim Nawar, who wore a cheongsam for her first Keretapi Sarong.

"I wanted to experience Malaysian culture. It is very interesting because I get to see and learn dances from different cultures and races," she said.

Lye said she attended the event with several coursemates.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Faizal Abdullah, 32, travelled from Taiping and arrived at 6am to prepare for the event.

He said he stayed nearby to touch up his outfit before heading to the station.

"I wanted to make my appearance different and bring something unique to the event," he said.

Faizal said he spent about RM1,000 on the traditional outfit, which he bought in Sarawak about three years ago.

"I like it because it is unique. We rarely see people wearing this kind of traditional outfit in Peninsular Malaysia, so I wanted to bring something different here," he said.

Faizal, who was taking part in Keretapi Sarong for the third time, had previously joined the event in Kedah. He travelled to Ipoh this year to celebrate Malaysia Day with fellow participants.

Ipoh Social Club founder Deena Erisa Dila Mohamad Zawawi said about 2,000 participants and members of the public attended this year's celebration.

She said most participants were from Perak, including Hulu Perak, while similar Keretapi Sarong events were held in other states.

"Keretapi Sarong is now being held in other states, including Penang, so the focus is mainly on activities within each respective state," she said.

Deena Erisa Dila said the fifth edition of the event, which began in 2021, continued to focus on bringing communities together through simple, family-oriented activities.

She said the Ipoh programme included Joget Lambak, traditional games at various checkpoints and other activities.

"The programme is not complicated because we want to focus on the community. It is more like a family day for the people of Perak.

"We want to remind people that unity does not have to involve something complicated. Even simple, everyday activities can bring people together," she said.

She said the event attracted participants from various ethnic backgrounds, including the Chinese and Indian communities, as well as participants from Sabah and Sarawak.

Participants also took the opportunity to visit several collaborating venues around Ipoh Old Town, including Arlene House, Toko Kopi Susu, Han Chin Pet Soo Museum and Hourglass Coffee.

"Most of the activities and visits are around the Old Town area," she said.