Stadium Merdeka

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Stadium Merdeka

Location	Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opened	30 August 1957
Owner	Permodalan Nasional Bhd^[1]
Operator	Perbadanan Stadium Merdeka^[2]
Surface	Grass pitch, track
Architect	Malaysian Public Works Department (JKR)
Tenants	Formerly Malaysian national football team Southeast Asian Games (1965, 1971, 1977)
Capacity	20 000 (Football)

Stadium Merdeka (Independence Stadium) is a sports stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was initially erected for Malaysia's declaration of independence on August 31, 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 Asia Games and the annual Merdeka Football Tournament (Pesta Bola Merdeka). It was also used as the venue for concerts, which included such international acts as Michael Jackson, Kool and the Gang, Mariah Carey, Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance and Celine Dion. It also hosted the fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Bugner in 1975.

1 History
2 Transportation
3 Gallery
4 Notes and references

[edit] History

Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj announced Malaya's independence from the British in 1957.

Stadium Merdeka was the site of one of Malaysia's most historically significant events. On 31 August, 1957, power was transferred from the British Empire to the newly independent Malayan government.^a 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.^[1] 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-1990's 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. On 31 August 2007, it hosted the Perayaan Raksasa Merdeka.

[edit] Transportation

The access to the stadium is made easy since the operation of KL Monorail begins. Passengers can stop at Maharajalela Monorail station, where the stadium stood next to the upper exit.