Keretapi Sarong is getting bigger this Malaysia Day, expanding to 10 cities and introducing a new women-only station for its 2026 edition.
The annual event returns on September 16, marking its 10th edition with three new locations: Padang Besar, Langkawi and Kuching. It will also take place in Sungai Petani, George Town, Ipoh, Melaka, Johor Bahru, Kota Bharu and Kuantan.
The expansion means Keretapi Sarong will reach more communities beyond the Klang Valley, where the event has traditionally drawn its biggest crowds. Organised by LOCCO, it brings people together on public transport while wearing sarongs, including batik and printed styles.
In the Klang Valley, participants will gather at 12 selected train stations before travelling together to a secret destination. The final location remains undisclosed until the day itself, keeping the event’s surprise element intact.
This year also brings a change to how women can take part. A new women-only station will operate at MRT Titiwangsa, following requests from women in the community who wanted a more comfortable way to join the event, particularly when trains and stations are crowded.
The organisers are expecting around 25,000 participants for KS26.
The event is also heading to Sarawak for the first time. Kuching was originally scheduled to take part this month, but its edition has been postponed to December because of the current haze conditions in the state.
Alongside the expansion, KS26 will introduce “Joget Sarong” as its theme song. The event will also bring back “Sayang Malaysia”, which was previously used as its theme in 2017.
The choice comes as Keretapi Sarong continues to position the event around Malaysia Day and the idea of bringing people together through public spaces and public transport.
Keretapi Sarong began in 2012 under NGO Random Alphabet before LOCCO took over in 2017. What started as a gathering of people travelling by train in sarongs has since expanded into a nationwide event.
This year’s edition takes that format further, with more cities joining the programme and a new dedicated station giving women another way to participate.
