TO many Malaysians, Stadium Merdeka embodies a singular moment in the nation’s history, when the first prime minister, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, punched the air with his fist seven times, shouting “Merdeka!”, during the declaration of independence on Aug 31, 1957.
A visit to the capital, Kuala Lumpur, is incomplete without a tour of this iconic landmark, which was designed by architect Stanley E. Jewkes and began construction on Sept 25, 1956, specifically for that moment in history.
According to a report quoting Jewkes, the terraces could accommodate 21,364 people, including 3,000 under cover, with access provided through 50 turnstiles. The stadium could be filled in 30 minutes and cleared in 10.
The construction of the stadium saw the movement of 200,000 tonnes of earth, and the placing of 10,000 tonnes of concrete and 700 tonnes of steel reinforcement.
On that day in 1957, thousands of people crowded into the stadium to witness the raising of the Malaysian flag.
Documents in the National Archives show that construction was completed on Aug 21, 1957, and the foundation stone was laid by Tunku in February that year.
The construction, which cost RM2.3 million, was expedited so that the stadium would be completed in time for the Merdeka celebrations.
“The opening ceremony was graced by performances by 1,000 schoolchildren, accompanied by the Royal Malay Regiment band,” states the National Archives portal.
Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Khoo Kay Kim says Tunku chose to hold the historic event at a stadium, as he was an avid sportsman and had played football during his time at Cambridge University.
“He was active in sports, and the stadium was later used for ‘Pesta Bola Merdeka’, an annual international football competition held in honour of Independence Day.”
In his speech at the opening ceremony, Tunku said he had great hope that the stadium would be a meeting place for sportsmen from around the world.
“Through sports, we hope to promote peace, happiness and goodwill in the world,” he was reported as saying.
For many years, the stadium has served as the main venue for celebrations and sporting events, such as a boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Bugner, and a concert by Michael Jackson.
However, modernisation took its toll on the stadium. It was almost demolished in the late 1990s to make way for a RM1 billion entertainment and office complex, but was rescued after the government earmarked it as a national heritage building in February 2003, following public outcry.
On Oct 17, 2005, Stadium Merdeka and the nearby Stadium Negara were gazetted under the Antiquities Act 1976 as national monuments.
In 2007, the stadium underwent restoration to reflect its original condition in 1957, to coincide with the nation’s 50th anniversary plans to relive the moment when Tunku proclaimed independence.
Several of the upper terrace blocks that had been built over the years were demolished, turning the 45,000-capacity stadium to one that could hold 20,000 people.
In its heyday, the stadium offered panoramic views from its grandstands, and murals at its entrance.
Since the stadium is listed as a national heritage site, any change to land use and layout plans in the area contravenes the safety, character and integrity of the site and its neighbouring land, according to the National Heritage Act 2005.
In 2010, during the presentation of the 2011 Budget, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced the RM5 billion Warisan Merdeka development in three phases over the following 10 years, starting with the 118-storey Menara Warisan Merdeka, which will occupy the now-demolished site of Merdeka Park.