Visitors to the Ipoh Railway Station were treated to a surprise yesterday when more than 200 peopled dressed like P. Ramlee and Saloma showed up as part of the Malaysia Day celebrations.
People dressed in traditional sarong and retro outfits with a distinct kampung style brought the century-old colonial building back to the 1960s.
Visitors were awed and delighted by the scene.
Many posed for photos with participants of the Keretapi Sarong 22 programme, organised by the Ipoh Social Club.
Ipoh Social Club founder Deena Erissa Delaila Mohd Zawawi said this was the first time the event was held in Ipoh, the past events being held in Kuala Lumpur.
She said the Ipoh event was held simultaneously with the event in KL and involved participants from northern states.
"This marks the programme's fifth year.
"Previously, it was only held in Kuala Lumpur.
"The main theme is the sarong, which reminds us of our culture and our desire to unite people of all races and generations."
Deena said besides gathering at the train station, participants also went around Ipoh on foot.
"There's a slight difference this year. In KL, participants would take the train, travelling from station to station. In Ipoh, we chose to walk around town.
"From the station, we will walk to Kiyoshiro Brew in Jalan Dato Sagor to work with Dapur Jalanan Ipoh to distribute food packs to the homeless, provide haircuts and carry out other activities at each checkpoint."
She said the programme had received massive support following a call for participants on social media.
She said the programme aimed to inspire the younger generation to embrace Malaysian culture and preserve it.
Participant Mohd Sinar Ishak, 40, said he was excited to join the programme as he was keen to don his Pak Maun-style costume to evoke a sense of nostalgia.
"This is my second time joining. The first was in Kuala Lumpur before the Covid-19 pandemic.
"I'm excited about gathering with others to celebrate Malaysia Day at the Ipoh Railway Station."
Nur Afieqah Ashmawi, 23, a participant from Chemor, said she and her friends arrived at the station by 7.30am.
"This is our first time taking part in something like this.
"My friends asked me to join at the last minute. I was so excited and spent a lot of time thinking about how to put my sarong and batik look together for the theme.
"I think this programme is a great way to help younger people appreciate our traditional culture and values and inspire the next generation."
Nur Ruzaini Ruslan, 37, a participant from Kuala Lumpur, said she joined the programme with her child to soak up the atmosphere.
"We've always wanted to join the programme since we saw it being held in Kuala Lumpur.
"It so happened that we would be on our way back to our kampung, so we decided to join the event in Ipoh.
"I love these sort of events. I planned to come back here by train anyway, so we decided to go the whole way and wore 1970s and 1980s fashion."