Stadium Merdeka
Encyclopedia
Stadium Merdeka is a sports stadium, in Kuala Lumpur
, Malaysia. It was initially erected for Malaysia's declaration of independence on 31 August 1957.
The stadium, operated by Perbadanan Stadium Merdeka, was a venue for many major sporting events prior to its handover to the private company, such as the 1977 Southeast Asian Games and the annual Merdeka Football Tournament (Pesta Bola Merdeka). It also hosted the fight between Muhammad Ali
and Joe Bugner
on July 1, 1975. It was also used as the venue for concerts.
The Stadium Negara
and the Chin Woo Stadium are located nearby.
to the newly independent Malayan government. Tens of thousands of people crowded into the stadium, which was built specifically for this occasion. While the stadium is an important part of Malaysia's history, it was almost demolished in the late 1990s.
The stadium and its land were given to a private company which had intended to redevelop the land into a RM1 billion entertainment and office complex. In exchange, the company was required to build seven other stadia in other locations. However, the company did not proceed with the redevelopment due to public outcry and the company's financial difficulties due to the late 1990s Asian economic crisis.
In February 2003, Stadium Merdeka was named a national heritage building.
In 2007, Merdeka Stadium underwent restoration to its original 1957 condition. The 45,000-capacity stadium has been reduced to 20,000, which meant that several of the upper terrace blocks built over the years had to be demolished. The renovations are part of Malaysia’s 50th anniversary plans to relive the moment when Tunku Abdul Rahman proclaimed independence there. The restoration is expected for completion by December 2009.
, next to one of the stadium's west exits.
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
, Malaysia. It was initially erected for Malaysia's declaration of independence on 31 August 1957.
The stadium, operated by Perbadanan Stadium Merdeka, was a venue for many major sporting events prior to its handover to the private company, such as the 1977 Southeast Asian Games and the annual Merdeka Football Tournament (Pesta Bola Merdeka). It also hosted the fight between Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is an American former professional boxer, philanthropist and social activist...
and Joe Bugner
Joe Bugner
József Kreul "Joe" Bugner is a Hungarian-born British-Australian former top heavyweight boxer. He holds triple nationality, being a citizen of Hungary and a naturalized citizen of both Australia and the United Kingdom where he learned to box and spent his peak years.Born in Szőreg, a southeastern...
on July 1, 1975. It was also used as the venue for concerts.
The Stadium Negara
Stadium Negara
Stadium Negara is a stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and was the first indoor stadium in the country. Construction began in 1960 and the stadium officially opened in 10 April 1962, by third Yang di-Pertuan Agong Almarhum Tuanku Syed Putra, of Perlis...
and the Chin Woo Stadium are located nearby.
History
Stadium Merdeka was constructed from 25 September 1956 to 21 August 1957. It was the site of one of Malaysia's most historically significant events. On 31 August 1957, power was transferred from the British EmpireBritish Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
to the newly independent Malayan government. Tens of thousands of people crowded into the stadium, which was built specifically for this occasion. While the stadium is an important part of Malaysia's history, it was almost demolished in the late 1990s.
The stadium and its land were given to a private company which had intended to redevelop the land into a RM1 billion entertainment and office complex. In exchange, the company was required to build seven other stadia in other locations. However, the company did not proceed with the redevelopment due to public outcry and the company's financial difficulties due to the late 1990s Asian economic crisis.
In February 2003, Stadium Merdeka was named a national heritage building.
In 2007, Merdeka Stadium underwent restoration to its original 1957 condition. The 45,000-capacity stadium has been reduced to 20,000, which meant that several of the upper terrace blocks built over the years had to be demolished. The renovations are part of Malaysia’s 50th anniversary plans to relive the moment when Tunku Abdul Rahman proclaimed independence there. The restoration is expected for completion by December 2009.
Events hosted in the stadium
- Philiac Concert for Peace, May 2011
- 1965 Southeast Asian Peninsular Games1965 Southeast Asian Peninsular GamesThe 3rd Southeast Asian Peninsular Games were held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 14 December - 21 December 1965. Originally to be hosted by Laos, the third edition of the games was hosted by Malaysia after the former was not able to honour its hosting commitment citing financial difficulties...
- 1971 Southeast Asian Peninsular Games1971 Southeast Asian Peninsular GamesThe 6th Southeast Asian Peninsular Games were held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 6 December - 13 December 1971. In this edition of the games, host country Malaysia joined Singapore in pressuring Thailand to let the SEAP Games Federation expand to include the Philippines and Indonesia, but to no...
- 1977 Southeast Asian Games1977 Southeast Asian GamesThe 9th Southeast Asian Games were held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 19 November - 26 November 1977. Brunei, Indonesia, and the Philippines were finally admitted into the SEAP Games Federation in February that year...
- 1989 Southeast Asian Games1989 Southeast Asian GamesThe 15th Southeast Asian Games were held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 20 August - 31 August 1989. It was officially opened by 9th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Azlan Shah. Although Cambodia did not participate, Laos returned to compete for the first time under the new federation name in this...
- The Merdeka TournamentMerdeka TournamentMerdeka Tournament or Pestabola Merdeka is a football tournament held in honour of the Malaysian National Day. The competition is named after the Malay word for independence. While the tournament had been held annually from 1957 to 1988, it has been held only 7 times from 1989 to 2007...
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Transportation
The access to the stadium is made easy since the operation of KL Monorail begins. Passengers can stop at Maharajalela Monorail stationMaharajalela Monorail station
Maharajalela Monorail station is a Malaysian elevated monorail train station that forms a part of the Kuala Lumpur Monorail line located in Kuala Lumpur and opened alongside the rest of the train service on August 31, 2003....
, next to one of the stadium's west exits.