PUTRAJAYA - Padang Merbok, one of the iconic public spaces in Kuala Lumpur, has reopened to the public after the fences, installed since August 2022 were removed on Jan 14, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh.
She said this move reflects the Madani Government’s commitment to restoring the people's right to public spaces that traditionally belong to everyone.
"The reopening of Padang Merbok also addresses the needs of a growing city. Kuala Lumpur is now facing pressure due to traffic congestion, increased tourism and the hosting of large-scale public events that impact existing public spaces.
"By restoring this historic field, the government is providing the public a location that is safe and easy to access and gather, while reducing congestion and protecting the nearby heritage areas. Public spaces must serve the people, not for power," she said in a Facebook post here today.
She said the prolonged closure of Padang Merbok under the previous administration had denied the people access to this significant public space, which has been inherited from generation to generation, for sports, recreation and peaceful gatherings.
She also said that Padang Merbok, located near Dataran Merdeka and Parliament, has its own national value, serving as a natural meeting point between community life and democratic expression.
"Padang Merbok is now reopened and right where it should be," she added. - BERNAMA