‘Keretapi Sarong 2023’ adds colour to Malaysia Day celebrations – eNews Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 16 — More than 10,000 individuals, of varied races and ages, participated within the Keretapi Sarong 2023 (KS 2023), which goals to instil the spirit of affection for the nation and its range, along side Malaysia Day celebration, at the moment.

They proved that there’s nothing shameful in donning conventional apparel, full with varied ethnic ornaments, and a few are proudly clad in batik sarong and ‘kain pelekat’, which symbolise the nation’s tradition and heritage.

It was like a visit down reminiscence lane as KS 2023, themed ‘Ethnicity and Unity’, was additionally jazzed up with a sarong style present, a flash mob and joget lambak, full with the 60s and 70s tunes filling the air.

The KS 2023 director, Shamsul Bahrin Zainuzzaman, mentioned that the programme efficiently achieved its essential goal, to see Malaysians in ethnic apparel travelling on public transport whereas selling the normal sarongs.

“I’m sporting the normal apparel of the Bidayuh ethnic group as an indication of help, and we additionally noticed many different mates from varied races collaborating in KS 2023,” he informed eNM, right here, at the moment.

The Keretapi Sarong was first launched by a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Random Alphabet, in 2012 earlier than being taken over by Locco in 2017, involving hundreds of members travelling on public transport sporting both batik or pelikat sarongs as the primary uniform.

This 12 months, KS 2023 commenced concurrently from seven stations, particularly KL Sentral Light Rail Transit (LRT), Gombak LRT, Ampang LRT, Subang Jaya LRT, Kajang Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), Bandar Utama MRT and KLIA Transit, earlier than gathering at Dataran Merdeka.

Similar occasions additionally passed off concurrently in main cities corresponding to Johor Bahru (alongside Sungai Segget), Ipoh Railway Station (KTMB Ipoh) and Kuala Terengganu (Terengganu Cultural Village), in addition to in London, United Kingdom (Battersea Power Station).

To additional enliven the ambiance, varied patriotic and conventional songs had been additionally being performed, together with ‘Negaraku’, ‘Jalur Gemilang’, ‘Gemuruh’, ‘Standing In The Eyes Of The World’, Rasa Sayang’, ‘Dikir Puteri’, Enjit Enjit Semut’, ‘Lemak Manis’, ‘Can Mali Can’ and ‘Anak Tupai’.

A KS 2023 participant, Izat Izhar, 28, who wears conventional garments from the Kadazan Dusun ethnic group, feels that the programme not solely instils patriotic spirit, but additionally not directly introduces varied ethnic teams in Malaysia through conventional apparel.

“This is my first time collaborating and I’m very excited. We gathered, marched and sang collectively whereas showcasing our conventional apparel, making the ambiance vigorous and vibrant,” mentioned Izat, who drove from Kuantan, Pahang, to Kajang simply to take part in KS 2023.

Alpasusanti Ismail, 43, from Bangi, Selangor, described the programme because the image of unity amongst varied races, because it was celebrated along side Malaysia Day 2023.

“I got here to this occasion as a ‘lone ranger’, however after I arrived, I didn’t really feel alone any extra; everybody was so pleasant, it was like assembly previous mates. It was actually enjoyable, and given an opportunity, I’ll take part once more subsequent 12 months,” she mentioned.

In Ipoh, a complete of 500 members from Perak, Kedah and Penang participated in KS2023, which was held on the Ipoh Railway Station grounds at Jalan Panglima Bukit Gantang Wahab, sporting conventional Malay apparel together with sarongs, baju kurung, kebaya, conventional warrior apparel and baju Melayu.

The founding father of Ipoh Social Club, Deena Erissa Delaila Mohd Zawawi, 26, mentioned that the programme was organised in collaboration with Locco, they usually had lined up varied actions, together with joget lambak and fortunate attracts.

Another KS 2023 participant, Amanda Cheah Wei Hua, 30, a secondary faculty instructor, mentioned that she took half within the programme as she finds it distinctive, and may enhance the spirit of patriotism amongst Malaysians.

In Johor Baru, a complete of 600 KS 2023 members flooded the one-kilometre-long Sungai Segget footpath within the metropolis along side the Malaysia Day celebration.

All members, of varied races, marched alongside Sungai Segget to the Komtar JBCC procuring centre, whereas singing patriotic and classical songs, accompanied by a dance efficiency.

Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) Social Development head, Raja Taufik Azad Ahmad Suhaimi, mentioned that KS 2023 in Johor was organised by Iskandar Youth Hub Sdn Bhd, and was attended by all walks of life, together with faculty college students, establishments of upper studying (IPT) and NGOs.

“KS 2023 marks the primary time it has been held in Johor along side the Malaysia Day celebration, and the participation has been very encouraging. We don’t rule out the potential for organising it once more subsequent 12 months,” he informed reporters at the moment.

In Kuala Terengganu, as many as 3,000 guests thronged the Terengganu Cultural Village for the ‘Musing Ketang’ programme, held along side KS 2023.

Terengganu Tourism, Culture, Environment and Climate Change Committee deputy chairman, Sulaiman Sulong, mentioned that varied actions had been carried out to jazz up the three-day programme along side Malaysia Day celebrations.

He mentioned among the many actions held had been demonstrations of ‘tikar kercut’ making, brassware carving, replicas of conventional boats, wau (kites) and batik work, that are the id of the Terengganu individuals.

“We are taking the chance of KS 2023 to introduce the traditions and tradition of Terengganu to international vacationers. In this manner, we will deliver again the glory, tradition and heritage overlaying structure, conventional delicacies and so forth,” he mentioned. — eNM