STADIUM MERDEKA
Jalan Stadium, City Centre, 50150 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
SPECIAL PROJECTS
PROJECT SYNOPSIS
Known as the site of the formal declaration of independence of the Federation of Malaya on 31st August 1957 and the place where the national anthem reverberated from the speakers of Stadium Merdeka, this national monument holds significance in being the witness of the end of an era and the start of another. Malaya's first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, shouted "Merdeka!" seven times as a rallying cry echoed through the stadium, and the nation was able to take in the first breath of freedom, Free from the colonizers who went from Portal to Holland, to being seized by the British and interfered by the Japanese. Designed by American architect Stanley Jewkes, under the instruction of the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, the stadium features not only construction in the uprising international style, but also values teamwork and the help of the people in Malaya.
BUILDING TIMELINE
Events
30th August
1957
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Opening ceremony held
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opened by Tunku Abdul Rahman, which was witnessed by over 15,000 spectators (6)
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Stadium Merdeka during opening ceremony
Stadium Merdeka dn Independence Day
31st August
1957
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Independence ceremony held (6)
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The national anthem reverberated from the speakers of Stadium Merdeka, to the people of Malaya, signifying the end of an era and the start of another. Malaya's first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, shouted "Merdeka!" seven times as a rallying cry with echoed the stadium, and the nation was able to take in the first breath of freedom, Free from the colonizers who went from Portal to Holland, to being seized by the British and interfered by the Japanese.
1957-1959
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Annual Pesta Bola Merdeka held every year since 1957 (7)
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a friendly football tournament held in Malaysia to commemorate the Independence Day.
Stadium Merdeka during proclamation of Malaysia.
Source: Astro Awani
16th September
1963
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proclamation of Malaysia (3) and Malaysia Day
SEA Games KL 1971 - Sylvia Ng and Shaharuddin Ali lighting the torch
1971
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6th Southeast asia peninsular games held (7)
India’s historic win has almost been forgotten and it hurts: 1975 Hockey World Cup heroes
1975
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Hockey World Cup final between Pakistan and India
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Witnessed by more than 30000 audience (7)
Fight held in Stadium Merdeka with an estimated crowd of 22000
1 July
1975
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Fight between Muhammas Ali and Joe Bugner (4)
On the evening of 26 November 1977, Malaysia beat Thailand 2-0 to win the gold medal of Southeast Asian Games
1977
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Southeast Asian Games (Malaysia beat Thailand 2-0 to win the gold medal in football), securing a comeback win (4)
1989
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Southeast Asian Games (football gold medal in Kuala Lumpur after beating Singapore 3-1.) (7)
Backstory
1921
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There wasn't a professional stadium in Malaya, with the only stadium in Jalan Ampang ruined by the Japanese army in the World War II, which is Stadium MAHA (Malayan Agri-Horticultural Association)/Stadium Kuala Lumpur (1)
Post war
1945
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Proposal for stadium to be built by Football Association of Selangor (FAS) and the Football Association of Malaya (FAM) (1)
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The birth of Stadium Merdeka stemmed from the request of having a professional stadium in Malaya
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The project was then included in the Five-year Development plan with a budget of 2.4 million ringgit
September
1952
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an ''ad-hoc'' committee was formed by the Kuala Lumpur Municipal Commissioners to study the proposal, and a report was released three months later. (1)
2 May
1956
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160 proposal plan was submitted to the government.(1)
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all proposals were studied by the “ad-hoc” committee.
4 June
1956
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Tunku Abdul Rahman and E.M McDonald, the leas of the advisory committee started looking for suitable sites for the stadium.
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The site was a Chinese cemetery before it became the oldest golf course in Kuala Lumpur, which had been abandoned since 1921. (1)
11 July
1956
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Tunku bought up the need of a national stadium for Malaya to the Legislative Council and gained permission from it. (1)
PRE-MERDEKA
ERA
Construction
Source: Merdeka Interviews
15 February
1957
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Tunku Abdul Rahman Laid the cornerstone of the stadium. (3)
30 August 1957
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Construction start with ground breaking ceremony (3)
15th July
1957
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Completion of construction drawings
25th September
1957
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Construction start
21st August
1957
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Construction completion (3)
17th September
1963
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Announced as one of the eight symbolic national buildings by then Yang Dipertuan Agong (5)
1986
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Expansion with additional seating and other facilities (2)
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The stadium has a seating capacity of 21364 with 3000 covered, and was added to 32800 in 1974 which costed 4.5 million ringgit.
February
2003
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Named as heritage building (4)
2007
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Underwent restoration to its original 1957 condition as a part of the 50th anniversary plans (4)
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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. (3)
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This ia a part of Malaysia’s 50th anniversary plans to relive the moment when Tunku Abdul Rahman proclaimed independence there.
MERDEKA ERA
Stadium Merdeka after restoration
2008
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Restoration received the UNESCO Asia-Pacific 2008 for Award of Excellence for Cultural Heritage Conservation after successfully being restored to its full glory(4)
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fulfilling criterias encompassing articulation of heritage values, interpretation of cultural, social and historical architectural significance, understanding of technical issues, the use of appropriate materials and conservation techniques, ongoing socio-economical viability, influence of the conservation project and many more. (8)
Stadium Merdeka after restoration
Source: Merdeka Interviews
December
2009
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Restoration completion (4)
POST-MERDEKA
ERA
1940
1950
1960
1980
2000
1950
1960
1970
1980
1920
OTHER RESOURCES
Related Link /
Website
Official Website
TBC