Keretapi Sarong is an annual flash mob event held across Malaysia, where the participants wear a traditional sarong while riding the train or rapid transit on certain days to promote Malaysian culture and diversity. The event was first held in 2012, stalled for three years, and revived with the new organizer.
History Keretapi Sarong was first introduced in the year 2012, inspired by No Pants Subway Ride flash mob in New York City in 2002 where the participants ride the subway without wearing pants for a day. The first organizer of the event is Random Alphabets.
In 2013, Keretapi Sarong was also being held overseas, including in London, Melbourne, Washington, D.C., Boston and Philadelphia. The 2014 edition also saw 12 cities holding the same event, such as Tokyo, Dublin, Amsterdam and London.
After the original event was not held for three years, the new organizer, Local Companion (LOCCO), revived the Keretapi Sarong flash mob event during Malaysia Day as an effort to promote the use of public transport and encourage wearing traditional attire, which is the sarong.
Keretapi Sarong was not held in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia.
The 2022 edition saw the popularity of the event with 5,000 participants as well as being held for the first time outside Kuala Lumpur, which is Ipoh. The 2023 edition is also being held in Johor Bahru, Ipoh and Kuala Terengganu, as well as overseas, like at Battersea Power Station in London.
Keretapi Sarong in Kuala Lumpur YearTheme"Secret Location"Meet-up StationsRef2012n/an/a2013n/an/a2014n/an/a2015-2016Not held2017#SayangMalaysiaNational Museum, Kuala Lumpur Bandar Utama Puchong Prima Subang Jaya Gombak Ampang 2018n/aMalaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC), Kuala Lumpur Bandar Utama IOI Puchong Jaya Subang Jaya Gombak Ampang2019n/aIndependence Square, Kuala Lumpur
Bandar Utama Kajang Subang Jaya Gombak Ampang2020Not held due to COVID-19 pandemic20212022Retro Kuala LumpurPavilion Kuala Lumpur Bandar Utama Kajang Subang Jaya Gombak Ampang KL Sentral KLIA T1 Putrajaya & Cyberjaya2023Ethnicity & UnityIndependence Square, Kuala Lumpur Bandar Utama Kajang Subang Jaya Gombak Ampang KL Sentral Putrajaya Sentral2024Face of MalaysiaMalaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC), Kuala Lumpur TTDI Kajang Subang Jaya Gombak Ampang KL Sentral Putrajaya Sentral UPM Sri Damansara Sentral2025SerumpunRaintree Plaza, The Exchange TRX Mutiara Damansara Kinrara BK5 Kajang Subang Jaya Gombak Ampang KL Sentral Putrajaya Sentral UPM Sri Damansara Sentral
Reactions This program has been well received by the Malaysian train operator, Prasarana Malaysia, since the start of the event. It is also supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture of Malaysia.
References
External links