Nearly 15,000 people from diverse backgrounds gathered at the Penang Ferry Museum grounds on 16 September for Keretapi Sarong George Town 2026, a day-long celebration of Malaysia’s multicultural identity held in conjunction with Malaysia Day.
Penang Ferry Museum director Abdul Hadi Abu Osman said the programme ran from 8am to 11pm, drawing participants dressed in kebaya, cheongsam, hanfu, sari and ethnic costumes from Sabah and Sarawak, Bernama reported.
“The programme provides an excellent platform for people to come together and share the spirit of Malaysia Day in an atmosphere of goodwill and harmony,” Abdul Hadi said.
Penang Port Commission chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said the event reflected unity across different races, religions and backgrounds. He noted that public transport creates shared spaces where students, workers, families and visitors can connect, while Penang’s ferry remains closely tied to the state’s heritage, Pocket News reported.
Yeoh, who also serves as Tourism Malaysia deputy chairman, thanked Transport Minister Anthony Loke and participating agencies for supporting the programme. He encouraged participants to meet someone new and appreciate Malaysia’s cultural diversity together.
The George Town edition was part of the 10th Keretapi Sarong programme, held simultaneously across 10 cities nationwide. In Kuala Lumpur, around 25,000 participants gathered at Raintree Plaza, TRX, while Melaka drew about 3,000 people and Ipoh saw roughly 2,000. The nationwide initiative also introduced a new Women’s Station at Titiwangsa MRT, providing a more comfortable and inclusive space for women to take part.
Despite hazy conditions blanketing parts of Penang, participants turned up in festive spirits, wearing colourful traditional attire and joining cultural performances and games throughout the day. The celebration featured traditional dances, children’s activities and live entertainment, highlighting the country’s rich multicultural identity.
Keretapi Sarong began as a small public transport-focused gathering and has grown into one of Malaysia’s largest grassroots cultural events. Now in its 10th edition, the programme brings together people of all ages and backgrounds to mark national identity through traditional dress, public transport and community gatherings.
LOCCO co-founder Shamsul Bahrin Zainuzzaman said the programme had evolved substantially over the past decade, becoming a platform for community unity rather than just an event involving people travelling on public transport in sarongs. He said the annual programme continues to draw Malaysians from all walks of life, reinforcing the message that cultural identity belongs to everyone.
