Merdeka Square

The Padang

The square began as a swampy parade ground for the police

A patch of swampy, uneven ground west of the Klang River was levelled and drained as a training ground for the police. Frank Swettenham acquired the land from Yap Ah Loy in 1882. Ten years later it was smoothed over for cricket and other sports.

The club

The field was the Selangor Club's cricket green until the city took it in 1987

Once called the Selangor Club Padang, the field was the cricket green of the club, whose clubhouse was built beside it in 1890. In 1987 City Hall took the Padang back, gave the club land in Bukit Kiara, and made it a historical park.

A growing capital

Government buildings rose around the field as the city became a capital

The Sultan Abdul Samad Building was begun before Kuala Lumpur became the capital of the Federated Malay States, and it soon proved too small. A printing office followed in 1899, the town hall in 1904, the railway offices in 1905 and the General Post Office in 1907.

Independence

The Union Flag came down here at midnight on 30 August 1957

At midnight on 30 August 1957 the British flag was lowered and the Malayan flag raised for the first time on the Padang, watched by a large number of people. The independence ceremony was held the next morning at the Merdeka Stadium.

The flagpole

A 95-metre flagpole stands at the southern end of the square

The square was completed in October 1989 as a historical park, with elements inspired by Trafalgar Square in London. The flagpole stands at the southern end, and a black marble plaque marks where the Malayan flag was first raised.

95-metrethe height of the flagpole at the southern end