KUALA LUMPUR: After being closed since 2016, the Merdeka Stadium, one of the most historical and iconic landmarks in Malaysia, is set to reopen to the public in the second quarter of 2024. In a speech during the official opening of Menara Merdeka 118 on January 11, 2024, Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) Group Chairman Tan Sri Arshad Raja Tun Uda mentioned that efforts to restore the iconic stadium to its original 1957 form have received support from Badan Warisan Malaysia and National Heritage Department. He expressed hope that the restoration project will enhance the heritage value of the site and create economic opportunities.
The historic significance of the Merdeka Stadium was recognized when it was gazetted as a national heritage site on October 17, 2005. Although it is owned by PNB Merdeka Ventures, the stadium is under the trusteeship and management of the Merdeka Heritage Trust.
Arshad highlighted the potential of the restored stadium, stating that it could become a popular tourist destination for both local and international visitors. Additionally, PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd established the Merdeka Heritage Trust in 2006 to restore, preserve, and manage the stadium, including the removal of seating terraces to accommodate a larger seating capacity of 45,000 seats added for the 1989 SEA Games.
Construction of the Merdeka Stadium began in 1956 and was completed within a year, making it an engineering marvel at the time. The most significant historical event hosted at the stadium was the declaration of the country’s independence on August 31, 1957, by Tunku Abdul Rahman, followed by the formation of Malaysia on September 16, 1963.
Noting the importance of the official opening of Menara Merdeka 118 on December 11, 2023, Arshad mentioned that PNB had begun relocating its operations to the tower, where it will occupy 17 floors to accommodate approximately 1,500 PNB staff.
The Merdeka 118 tower, designed by Australian architects Fender Katsalidis, features a seven-storey shopping mall, office spaces, the luxury Park Hyatt hotel, and the highest observation deck in South-east Asia, known as “The View at 118”. As of the opening date, the tower had officially topped out at 118 stories, making it the world’s second tallest tower at a height of 678.9m, behind only the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which stands at 828m. The Merdeka Stadium precinct, the location where Malaysian Independence was declared in 1957, is defined by the landmark tower. – BERNAMA
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