The Padang Merdeka grandstand undergoing reconstruction which is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
KOTA KINABALU: Padang Merdeka, a historic spot in the city where the declaration of Sabah’s independence and formation of Malaysia took place on 16 September 1963, is being given a much-needed facelift.
City Hall director of Engineering Department, Lee Tet Fon, when contacted yesterday, said the grandstand at Padang Merdeka is undergoing reconstruction and refurbishment to increase its seating capacity.
“The grandstand could accommodate up to only about 450 people, which is quite limited. We are going to double the seating capacity to 900,” he said.
Lee added that the new grandstand is expected to be ready by the end of this year.
Padang Merdeka is the main venue for the annual state level Merdeka (Independence Day) celebration as well as other events.
In 2010, it hosted the first national level Malaysia Day celebration, during which September 16 was declared a national public holiday.