The Dataran Merdeka (Merdeka Square) is the old colonial, prominent landmark heart of Kuala Lumpur. It was here, in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building first independence  at midnight on August 31, 1957. Merdeka is a malay word for independence.

 

Formerly called the ‘Parade Ground’ then the Selangor Club “Padang”(field) and was used as  the cricket green of the Club. The Padang was officially renamed Dataran Merdeka on 1 January 1990 in conjunction of Visit Malaysia Year 1990.

 

Malaysia Independence Square, a historic place that first independence Flag raised at the 95-meter flagpole, one of the tallest in the world, marks that spot with a flat, round black marble plaque (southern end of the square) into the air replaced the Union flag marked the end of british era. Once a focal point and cricket pitch for the British colonial presence in Malaya. The structures bordering the Dataran Merdeka resemble the physical environment of the colonists’ native land. Situated on one corner of the square is the Selangor Club, replicating the Tudors of merry old England.

 

Surrounding the Merdeka square are buildings rich in historical interest:
-the Royal Selangor Club Complex built in 1890, Tudor-style building
-the Sultan Abdul Samad Building,
-the National History Museum (formerly the Chartered Bank Building)
-the Memorial Library,
-St. Mary’s Anglican Cathedral, a Gothic style building more than a hundred years old,
-the original Kuala Lumpur Railway Station 
-the 102-year old Sanitary Board fountain and
-the impressive modern Dayabumi Complex.
-the ‘periuk kera’ fountain

 

The quasi-Tudor style timber structure was built in 1890 and remains a place to watch a game of cricket on a Sunday afternoon.The Merdeka Square used to symbolized British sovereignty as it was a cricket ground for the colonial administrators and fronted the Royal Selangor Club, Malaya’s most exclusive whites-only club.

 

Dataran Merdeka has underground level built in 1995 as a war pre-caution. Nowdays, named  The Plaza Putra placed underneath the flagpole area is an underground food heaven, leisure and entertainment complex, as well as an underground parking bay.

 

On the other end of the immaculately-turfed 8.2ha field lies a fountain area with elegant colonnades and colourful rows of zinnias and marigolds.

 

The Square is well maintained with beautiful gardens, terraces, fountains and a big screen for screening of main events and live telecasts. Photography session for first timer to this place is a must whether one is a local or a foreign tourist.

 

Since merdeka, Dataran Merdeka has been usual venue for the annual Perarakan Hari Merdeka (National Day Parade), Citrawarna Malaysia, New Year countdown and Larian Merdeka. Every  weekend a lot of people gather to excercise and do aerobic here to keep fit and burn fat.  This Square continues to be a venue where many events are held and still be the first mark of History attraction in federal.