Dataran Merdeka

Malaysia has a long historical memory of under imperialism era. Merdeka Square or in Malay it means Dataran Merdeka or in traditional writing system Jawi it is داتارن مرديك or in Arabic is it called التحرير ميدان  pronounce as Midan Tahrir was the place people witness the glory independence of Malaysia where it was here the Union Flag was lowered and the Malayan flag hoisted for the first time at midnight on 31st August 1957. It’s location which is in the Kuala Lumpur city center, in one of a must place to visit when tourist come Malaysia. Besides it, standing lofty the Sultan Abdul Samad Building as one of the most significant landmarks built by the British designed by A. C. Norman who was inspired by Indian Moghul architecture. It function was very significant it was the place for Selangor State Secretariat and and later the Supreme Court. Since then, Merdeka Square has been the usual venue for National Day Parade.  

Malaysia's independence from Britain was proclaimed here at midnight on August 31st 1957. Merdeka is the Malay word for independence. 

In the centre of Merdeka Square lies the Padang - a large grassy cricket field. Around the Padang lie a wealth of beautiful old buildings. These include the Royal Selangor Club - once the social centre for KL's colonial elite. This club also founded the world famous Hash House Harriers running group in1938.

At the north end of the square you will find the lovely St Mary's Cathedral designed by AC Norman and dating from 1894. 

Across the busy main Jln Raja Laut road lies the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. Built by AC Norman in 1897 it once housed the British Secretariat Building and now houses one of Malaysia's highest courts.