Latest news with #KeretapiSarong
New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Tram Sarong brings Malaysian culture to the heart of Budapest
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Embassy in Budapest, Hungary brought a slice of home to the heart of Europe on Saturday, with its vibrant "Tram Sarong" event. Inspired by the annual Keretapi Sarong, about 90 participants — primarily comprising Malaysians residing in Hungary and embassy staff and their families — donned traditional attire to celebrate Malaysia's cultural heritage aboard the Budapest's iconic Tram Line 2. They were also joined by officials from Asean member state embassies. The embassy said in a statement that the event highlighted the kebaya and Malaysia's rich heritage on a moving platform. The initiative transformed Budapest's Tram Line 2 into a roving cultural exhibition, offering passengers a look at Malaysian traditional attire set against the city's architectural gems. Often hailed as one of the most scenic tram routes in Europe, Line 2 runs parallel to the Danube on the Pest side, offering stunning views of Buda Castle, Parliament Building, Chain Bridge and Gellert Hill. Charge d'Affaires Vanitha Gopalakrishnan said: "We wanted to bring a piece of Malaysia to Hungary in a way that merges culture, and beauty. "The kebaya is more than just an attire. It is a symbol of elegance, tradition, and shared regional heritage across Southeast Asia. "We're proud to showcase it here in Budapest." The Tram Sarong concept originates from the Keretapi Sarong, an annual event in Malaysia where passengers board trains in traditional attire. This event also aligns with the recognition of kebaya by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on Dec 4 last year. As the tram pulled into its final stop at the Parliament Building, the celebration ended with a group photo and participants were served traditional Malaysian cuisine.
South China Morning Post
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
‘Stamp out cross-dressing': Malaysian sarong event under fire for LGBTQ exclusion
Malaysian cultural festival has come under fire after its organisers said cross-dressers would not be welcome this year, prompting backlash from critics who accuse the event of excluding the LGBTQ community. Advertisement Keretapi Sarong, a flashmob-style event held annually in September, invites participants to wear sarongs and ride public trains in a show of national pride. Since its inception in 2012, the celebration has grown in popularity and even spread abroad, with gatherings held last year in cities including Paris, Berlin and Amsterdam. However, the organisers' recent pledge to prevent 'cross-dressing' at this year's event has sparked criticism from activists and long-time supporters, who say it reflects a broader push to sideline marginalised communities as Malaysia's political climate turns more conservative. In response to online complaints about gender-nonconforming participants at previous events, organiser Locco posted on X, formerly Twitter: 'Let us all stamp out cross-dressing! This is a cultural event, [everyone] should be more aware.' The group's position aligned with comments from social media users who said the event should not resemble a pride parade. One user, Mein Mokhtar, wrote: 'If you can't respect the event organiser and can't abide and comply with the rules, then you are not welcome.' 04:41 'Asean's moment is now': Malaysia's Anwar on the bloc's response to AI, tariff challenges 'Asean's moment is now': Malaysia's Anwar on the bloc's response to AI, tariff challenges The comments sparked backlash from members of the public who noted that the queer community had supported Keretapi Sarong long before it gained mainstream popularity.
