KUALA LUMPUR: The ninth edition of the 2025 Keretapi Sarong (KS25) programme, held in conjunction with Malaysia Day, will be expanded to Melaka this year.
Event organiser LOCCO co-founder Shamsul Bahrin Zainuzzaman said it will take place on Sept 13 simultaneously in various locations, namely the capital city, George Town, Ipoh, Kuantan, Sungai Petani, Pasir Mas and Johor Bahru.
"This year Melaka is joining for the first time … we are very happy because there is a local community taking the initiative to organise Keretapi Sarong there," he said at a press conference at TGV Suria KLCC here on Wednesday (Sept 3).
He said next year, Keretapi Sarong will celebrate its 10th anniversary, and the organisers hope more states will participate in the programme.
"We hope other states will also celebrate Malaysia Day together with Keretapi Sarong to spread the message of unity to all Malaysians nationwide," he added.
Carrying the theme 'Serumpun', Shamsul Bahrin said the ninth edition goes beyond borders, reminding people that unity is not limited by geography.
"We adopted the theme 'Serumpun' in line with Malaysia’s chairmanship of Asean this year. So, we may see more people wearing sarongs and outfits from Asean countries.
"What we want to convey is that unity begins among Malaysians, but it actually extends to Asean countries as we are part of Nusantara, a region rich in shared cultural roots," he said.
This time, thousands of Malaysians will don sarongs and travel on public transport from 11 starting stations across the Klang Valley, including Subang Jaya, KL Sentral, Gombak, Mutiara Damansara, Sri Damansara Utama, Kinrara BK5, Kajang, Ampang and Putrajaya Sentral.
According to Shamsul Bahrin, participants will come together in a moving cultural flash mob symbolising diversity and solidarity, reflecting how the movement has grown to embrace communities nationwide and even in selected overseas locations.
"The purpose of Keretapi Sarong is to empower communities … this year, we are also bringing legendary dishes to showcase cultural and heritage foods while at the same time highlighting those that Malaysians are proud of," he said.
He added that internationally, the momentum is just as strong, with Keretapi Sarong editions in Berlin (Germany) and Melbourne (Australia) on Aug 31, followed by London and Sydney (Sept 13).
The Keretapi Sarong programme, which non-governmental organisation Random Alphabet started in 2012 before being taken over by LOCCO in 2017, involves thousands of participants riding public transport dressed in sarongs. - Bernama
