#JOM: When Malaysia dances as one

FOR a few hours in Putrajaya, the country seemed to move to one rhythm.

Some 1,500 dancers and cultural performers from across the country came together at IOI City Mall Putrajaya recently for the Colours of Parade, turning the finale of the 12-day Citrawarna Speed Festival 2026 into a celebration of the traditions, communities and stories that make up the Malaysian experience.

From the Northern, Central, Southern and East Coast regions to Sabah and Sarawak, the parade brought together different forms of music, dance, costumes and artistic expression – each rooted in its own sense of place, yet sharing the same stage.

There were also performances representing the Orang Asli, Chinese, Indian, Sikh and Siamese communities, alongside Nusantara percussion and brass band performances.

Taken together, they offered something more meaningful than a procession of colour and movement: a reminder that Malaysia's cultural identity has never been just one thing. It is layered, sometimes contrasting, and constantly evolving, yet capable of coming together in a way that feels distinctly its own.

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MEETING OF DIFFERENT WORLDS

The Colours of Parade was the cultural centrepiece of Citrawarna Speed Festival 2026, organised by Tourism Malaysia from Sept 23 to Oct 4 as part of the Visit Malaysia 2026–2027 campaign.

The festival itself was an unusual meeting of two seemingly different worlds – Malaysian arts and heritage alongside motorsport-inspired attractions and experiences.

At IOI City Mall Putrajaya, visitors could explore Colours of Art & Culture, which featured 14 interactive stations showcasing traditional crafts, heritage arts and live cultural demonstrations. Colours of Speed, meanwhile, brought racing-inspired activities into the mix.

The festival also reached beyond Putrajaya.

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At Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1 and Sama-Sama Hotel KLIA, elements of Malaysian culture were brought into the spaces where international travellers arrive, depart and stay – allowing heritage to become part of the journey rather than simply something to be visited.

The idea reflects a wider push to make Malaysia's cultural richness part of the country's tourism story, particularly as the nation builds momentum towards Visit Malaysia 2026–2027.

The festival comes as Malaysia recorded 28.8 million international visitors between January and August this year, up 1.8 per cent from the 28.2 million recorded during the same period in 2025.

Domestic tourism has also continued to grow, with 151.6 million domestic visitors recorded in the first half of 2026, a 5.6 per cent increase from 143.5 million during the corresponding period last year.

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COMING TOGETHER

The event was graced by Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, chief secretary to the government and Tuan Chiew Choon Man, deputy minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. Also in attendance were Datuk Shaharuddin Abu Sohot, secretary-general of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture; Datuk Rahimi Ismail, secretary-general of the Ministry of Youth and Sports; Tuan Chua Choon Hwa, deputy secretary-general (Tourism) of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture; Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, chairman of Tourism Malaysia; and Datuk Lee Yeow Chor, group managing director and chief executive officer of IOI Corporation Berhad.

But perhaps the most compelling part of the evening was not who was watching from the sidelines.

It was the 1,500 people in motion – dancers and performers carrying traditions from different corners and communities of the country, bringing them together in a single celebration.

And as the festival drew to a close, that sense of coming together continued into its finale on Oct 4 with a special Lamborghini activation at IOI City Mall Putrajaya, featuring approximately 100 Lamborghini vehicles.

It was an ending that neatly captured the festival's central idea: culture and speed occupying the same space, with Malaysia's heritage providing the heartbeat beneath it all.