Disrupted diversity, Sarong Railway united Malaysian children

KUALA LUMPUR, 16 Sept: Malaysians flooded KL Sentral today with a variety of traditional costumes, colourful sarongs and cultural-themed outfits to celebrate the 63rd Malaysia Day through Sarong Railway.

Entering its 10th edition, the exhibition showcases the colours of Malaysian culture and identity in a vibrant atmosphere.

For students from Sarawak, Dila Hani, participation in the Sarong Railway gave young people from Borneo an opportunity to join Malaysia Day celebration with the community on Peninsular Malaysia.

Dila Hani said that she was present with various ethnic friends from Sarawak highlighting cultural diversity including the identity of Iban and Bidayuh communities.

"Because Borneans don't always come here and since they are already here, we take the opportunity to celebrate Malaysia Day here through this event", he told TVS.

Meanwhile, Baba Nyonya community representative Cho Cheng Lan said this year's reception was quite special following the recognition of her ancestry by the National Registration Department (JPN), which allowed the status to be registered in self-identification documents.

He said that the development gives space for Baba Nyonya's community to showcase their identity, as well as interact and celebrate with other communities.

"We will also (make a performance) play ukulele and sing, for the fun of all communities and solidarity for the community to enjoy diversity", he said.

The Sarong Railway Festival also saw participants highlighting a variety of traditional fashions, including full Malay attire that is rarely worn in everyday life.

The visitor, Muhammad Nor Faezuwan said the full wearing of the songket along with the jumps and flanks at the event was aimed at presenting traditional Malay clothing more fully to the community.

"What we're trying to convey today is a full-length songket dress like the one we always see near the wedding ring. So we're wearing the right clothes, the right jumpsuits and everything.

"So the attraction is not only in the country, foreigners also see our culture with a keen eye", he said.

For Maizatul Akma, her third appearance this year was not released when she and the children appeared dressed in a songket with the colour of Jalur Gemilang.

Meanwhile, visitor Farhanah Yeow said the atmosphere of a diverse community gathering, interacting and enjoying a joint reception gives a special experience, especially with his family background having a mix of Malay and Chinese.

"I am happy to see Malaysians gather, make friends, talk and dance together", she said.

The cultural diversity displayed also attracted foreign tourists who attended the reception.

U.S. traveler Sulaiman Shaban said he was amazed to see the variety of clothing and culture gathered in one location, as well as excited about the diversity of Malaysian society.

"The atmosphere today is beautiful. I saw all kinds of clothes from everywhere. It's really beautiful. I didn't think there was so much diversity in this small country. It's really beautiful. I was so impressed.

"Wearing traditional clothing and appreciating one's own culture, origin, and traditions is a wonderful thing. For tourists, respect Malaysian culture and be sensitive to the manners and order of Malaysian society", he added. -TVS