Fishing Boats, One River and a Whole Lot of Malaysian Pride - Seasia.co

A river in Malaysia’s Perak—Sungai Kerang in Bukit Gantang—became a patriotic spectacle on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, as 206 decorated fishing boats filled the jetty for the Bukit Gantang Decorated Boat Competition for Malaysia Day. The boats, wrapped in the red, white, blue and yellow of Jalur Gemilang, ranged from simple flag displays to designs inspired by Malay warriors. Children in traditional dress and their parents leaned over the sides as the fleet formed a “floating carnival” on the water. Now in its fifth year, the event grew from a 2022 start with a small group to nearly double 2025’s 130 boats, reflecting its growing local pull.