A total of 676 participants entered the Malaysia Book of Records for the largest batu seremban game during the Malaysia Traditional Games Festival 2026.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Day celebrations today were enlivened by the participation of 676 people from various walks of life in a game of batu seremban, setting a new Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) record for the largest participation in a batu seremban game category.
The MBOR recognition was presented at the close of the Malaysia Traditional Games Festival at the Main Stage of the Malaysia Cultural Festival (FBM) 2026 at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa here, organised by the Selangor and Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Zone of Polytechnics and Community Colleges (POLYCC) and Koperasi Hulu Selangor Bhd.
Polytechnic and Community College Education Department (JPPKK) Governance and Excellence Division director Norizam Sekak, who officiated the ceremony, said the achievement demonstrated that traditional games could still attract public interest when presented through creative, inclusive and contemporary approaches.
“The Malaysia Traditional Games Festival also demonstrates the ability of POLYCC personnel to promote traditional heritage through innovation and current technology,” he said.
Selangor and Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Zone POLYCC chairman Azman Arshad said the achievement was a meaningful moment as traditional games had successfully been brought together on a large scale involving people from various walks of life.
“More than just setting a record, this effort proves that traditional games can still attract public interest and continue to be celebrated by today’s generation,” he said.
Hulu Selangor Community College director and programme director Nurazureen Jaafar said batu seremban was chosen to ensure that the traditional game would continue to be known and kept alive among the younger generation.
“Everyone can play it, regardless of whether they are young or old, which is why we chose batu seremban as the traditional game that we wanted to set an MBOR record for today,” she said.
For a participant who wished to be known only as Daniel, 20, taking part gave him an opportunity to learn more about a traditional game that forms part of the country’s heritage.
“What I like most about batu seremban is that we can play it together with friends. Whether we know each other or not, we can make new friends and at the same time strengthen our bonds,” said the Kuala Langat Community College student.
The Malaysia Traditional Games Festival, held from Sept 11 to 16 in conjunction with FBM 2026, featured various activities showcasing the country’s traditional games and heritage.
FBM 2026, organised by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MOTAC), also serves as a platform to introduce Malaysia’s cultural diversity to tourists in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia Year 2026-2027 (TMM 2026-2027) campaign.
