Padang Merdeka Kota Kinabalu: History, Events and Visitor Guide
What is Padang Merdeka?
Padang Merdeka is the historic town padang (open field) in central Kota Kinabalu, near the Atkinson Clock Tower and a short walk from Jalan Gaya. "Merdeka" means independence in Malay. The Sabah Museum lists it as a gazetted state heritage site under the name "Merdeka Town Padang, Kota Kinabalu", gazetted on 19 May 1999 (Sabah Museum, State Heritage, checked 6 October 2026).
It is best known as the place where the Proclamation of the Federation of Malaysia was read in Jesselton on the morning of 16 September 1963 (Daily Express, "'63 momentous year in North Borneo history", checked 6 October 2026).
Today it is used for the state's big public celebrations, including Sabah Day on 31 August and Malaysia Day on 16 September.
What do we know about Padang Merdeka in colonial times?
The field was called the Town Padang in accounts of the 1963 Malaysia ceremony, and its gazetted heritage name is still "Merdeka Town Padang" (Sabah Museum, checked 6 October 2026).
The Atkinson Clock Tower nearby was built in 1905 by Mary Edith Atkinson in memory of her son Francis George Atkinson, who died of malaria at the age of 28 (Sabah Tourism, checked 6 October 2026).
What happened around Padang Merdeka during WWII?
During World War II, Jesselton was almost in ruins (Borneo Post, 14 March 2018, checked 6 October 2026).
Only three structures in the town escaped the bombing: the Atkinson Clock Tower, the Land and Survey building, and the old post office that is now the Sabah Tourism Board building (Malay Mail, 16 March 2018, checked 6 October 2026).
What happened at Padang Merdeka in 1963?
On 31 August 1963, North Borneo officially became Sabah and was granted internal self-government. Governor Sir William Goode stayed on as the Queen's representative until Malaysia was formed (Daily Express, checked 6 October 2026).
On 16 September 1963, Sabah joined Malaysia. At a ceremony on the Town Padang early that morning, with Malaya's Deputy Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak present, the Proclamation of the Federation of Malaysia was read. Datu Mustapha Datu Harun was sworn in as the first Yang di-Pertua Negara, and Donald Stephens (later Tun Fuad Stephens) was sworn in as the first Chief Minister (Daily Express, checked 6 October 2026).
What major events are held at Padang Merdeka today?
Malaysia Day (16 September) marks the day Sabah joined Malaysia in 1963. The 2024 Malaysia Day celebration, organised with the Sabah state government, was held at Padang Merdeka and drew more than 40,000 people (Merdeka360, checked 6 October 2026). It was set for the evening of 16 September 2024 (MKN, checked 6 October 2026).
Sabah Day (31 August) marks the day North Borneo became self-governing in 1963. It falls on the same date as National Day (Hari Merdeka), which marks Malaya's independence in 1957. The main Sabah Day 2025 celebration was held at Padang Merdeka on 31 August (Sabah Media; Buletin TV3, both checked 6 October 2026).
Outside these dates, the padang is an open public space in the middle of town.
What heritage buildings surround Padang Merdeka?
The Atkinson Clock Tower, built in 1905, is the best-known heritage structure nearby. Sabah Tourism describes it as the oldest wooden structure in Sabah that survived the bombing of Jesselton in World War II (Sabah Tourism, checked 6 October 2026).
The Sabah Tourism Board building on Jalan Gaya, a short walk away, was built as the post office. Construction started in 1916 and it was officially opened by Governor A.C. Pearson on 16 March 1918 (Malay Mail, checked 6 October 2026). It now serves as a tourist centre.
The Land and Survey building is the third of the town's structures that survived the wartime bombing (Malay Mail, checked 6 October 2026).
Jalan Gaya, near Padang Merdeka, is lined with shophouses, many now used as restaurants, cafes and shops.
How do you visit and what can you do here?
Location: Padang Merdeka is in central Kota Kinabalu, near the Atkinson Clock Tower and a short walk from Jalan Gaya. Many city-centre hotels are within walking distance or a short ride away.
Hours: Padang Merdeka is open 24 hours as a public space. During major events such as Sabah Day and Malaysia Day, parts of it may be closed off for set-up and the celebrations.
What to do: Walk the padang, photograph the Atkinson Clock Tower and the heritage buildings nearby, drop in at the Sabah Tourism Board building for information, and walk on to Jalan Gaya for food and shopping.
Heritage walk: A simple self-guided loop is Padang Merdeka → Atkinson Clock Tower → Jalan Gaya → Sabah Tourism Board building → back to Padang Merdeka.
Sunday Market: If you visit on a Sunday, combine it with the Gaya Street Sunday Market, which runs from about 6am to 1pm (Sabah Tourism, checked 6 October 2026).
Dining: Jalan Gaya and the streets around it have plenty of restaurants and cafes, from local Sabahan food to international dishes.
Best time to visit: Early morning (6am-8am) is quieter and cooler. Late afternoon (4pm-6pm) is also pleasant. Midday (12pm-3pm) can be very hot on the open field.
| Event | Date | Significance | Recent use of Padang Merdeka |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malaysia Day | 16 September | Sabah joined Malaysia (1963) | 2024 celebration held here |
| Sabah Day | 31 August | North Borneo became self-governing (1963) | Main state celebration held here in 2025 |
| National Day (Hari Merdeka) | 31 August | Malaya's independence (1957) | Same date as Sabah Day |
| Gaya Street Sunday Market | Every Sunday, about 6am-1pm | Local crafts, food and souvenirs on nearby Jalan Gaya | A short walk from the padang |