Passengers aboard a Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTM) Komuter train traveling between Kuala Lumpur and UKM stations experienced a unique celebration of Malaysia’s national language and patriotism on Tuesday. The event, titled “Kembara Bahasa Hari Kebangsaan dan Hari Malaysia 2026,” was held inside a train carriage and organized by the Communications Ministry in collaboration with Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP).

The initiative aimed to promote Bahasa Malaysia and cultivate a sense of national pride through a combination of live performances and interactive activities. Approximately 60 participants, including students from Sekolah Seri Puteri (SSP) in Cyberjaya, Sekolah Seni Malaysia Kuala Lumpur (SSeMKL), and members of the arts community, took part in the programme. Activities featured language and history quizzes alongside performances of patriotic songs and poetry.

Adding to the festive atmosphere was the St John’s Alumni Pipe Band Malaysia, led by 34-year-old pipe major Raja Muhammad Hizami Raja Kamarulzaman. The band performed up to ten pieces, including “Keranamu Malaysia” and selections by the late Datuk Sudirman Arshad. The musical accompaniment was complemented by traditional dikir barat renditions, encouraging passengers to sing along and wave the national flag, Jalur Gemilang.

Speaking about the event, Raja Muhammad Hizami described the mood aboard the train as lively and engaging, noting the enthusiastic participation of passengers. Communications Ministry senior division secretary (management) Datuk Aminurrahim Mohamed highlighted that the programme was designed to reinforce the status of Bahasa Malaysia amid challenges posed by the increasing use of digital slang and foreign languages. He expressed hope that the train event would become an annual highlight of National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations.

DBP director-general Datuk Dr Hazami Jahari emphasized the importance of involving young Malaysians in such initiatives to nurture their appreciation and love for the national language. Students who took part in the event also shared positive feedback. Sixteen-year-old SSeMKL student Qaseh Umairah Maswesi Ahmad, who donned traditional songket for the poetry recital, described the experience as enjoyable and expressed support for more frequent programming of this nature. Similarly, SSP student Nur Mirza Amani Muhamad, also 16, commented that such activities demonstrated that Bahasa Malaysia is both accessible and enjoyable to learn.

The programme exemplifies efforts by Malaysian authorities and cultural institutions to actively preserve and promote the national language while fostering a patriotic spirit among diverse segments of society.