PASSENGERS on Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd’s Komuter train from the Kuala Lumpur to UKM stations were treated to a live performance of patriotic songs and poetry.
Organised by Communications Ministry and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), the “Kembara Bahasa Hari Kebangsaan dan Hari Malaysia 2026” programme in a train carriage was aimed at promoting the national language and patriotism.
A total of 60 students from Sekolah Seri Puteri (SSP) in Cyberjaya and Sekolah Seni Malaysia Kuala Lumpur (SSeMKL), as well as members of the arts community, took part.
Themed “Kembara Bahasa Di Atas Landasan”, it included language and history quizzes.
The atmosphere was further enlivened by the St John’s Alumni Pipe Band Malaysia performing up to 10 songs, including Keranamu Malaysia and those by the late Datuk Sudirman Arshad.
The bagpipe and drum band was led by pipe major Raja Muhammad Hizami Raja Kamarulzaman, 34.
“The atmosphere on the train was truly alive,” he said.
“Passengers enjoyed a variety of performances, including dikir barat.”
They sang along, waved the Jalur Gemilang and applauded the performances, he added.
Communications Ministry senior division secretary (management) Datuk Aminurrahim Mohamed said the programme was part of an effort to uphold Bahasa Malaysia, which he said faced challenges from the growing influence of digital language and slang.
“We hope the programme will continue to be held every year and become an iconic event in the National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations,” he said.
DBP director-general Datuk Dr Hazami Jahari said the participation of young people in such programmes was important to foster love for the national language.
SSeMKL student Qaseh Umairah Maswesi Ahmad, 16, who wore songket for the poetry recital, told Bernama, “It was really enjoyable. Programmes like this should be organised more often.”
SSP student Nur Mirza Amani Muhamad, 16, said, “Programmes like this show that Bahasa Malaysia is actually easy and enjoyable to learn.”
