Padang Merdeka – A witness to tales of the past

Over the past 60 years, Padang Merdeka (Merdeka Square) has played a significant role as a location for important government events. It has undergone several changes of uses and names throughout the years, until it was finally given its official name in 2003.

Significant place in Sarawak’s history

Over the past 60 years, Padang Merdeka (Merdeka Square), which is situated near the Central Police Station and only 50 metres from the General Post Office Building on Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, has played a significant role as a location for important government events.
  
According to a Facebook post from Malaysia Old Time, back in 1870, this big field in the city centre was originally known as Recreational Ground.
 
It was originally intended as a green space for residents to walk around, the ground included flowers, trees, a Chinese-style pavilion, and kid-friendly play areas.
 
After the Sarawak Museum opened its doors in 1891, another park was created in the Brooke era. Over time, the old Kuching Recreational Ground gradually transitioned into a sports field.

Police Ground

The police headquarters and barracks were moved by the Brooke government in the early 20th century to the left of the Padang Merdeka, close to what is now Barrack Road.
 
This led to daily drills being performed on the square, at it was known as the police ground before the war. It served as a venue for official and community athletics and football matches.
 
After World War II, the police barracks were relocated to Jalan Badruddin. Consequently, the practice of police officers drilling on the square ceased.

The Central Police Station. Photo: Malaysia Old Time Facebook page

Central Padang was ablaze with celebrations commemorating Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday on June 8, 1963. Photo: Malaysia Old Time Facebook page

The Honourable Khir Johari read the Malaysian Declaration on behalf of the first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, at the Central Padang on Sep 16, 1963. Photo: Malaysia Old Time Facebook page

On the left side of the square, directly opposite the Central Police Station, stood the Government Printing Office before the war. It later moved to a new facility 1.5 miles away on Rock Road.
 
The empty building then became the office of the Kuching Municipal Council. From that time onwards, the police ground was known as Council Square for a considerable period.

Central Padang

In the 1950s, the British colonial government expanded and officially renamed the square to Central Padang. It became a significant venue for official celebrations.
 
The celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday on June 8, 1963, was perhaps the final colonial event to take place there.
 
Later that year, on September 16, Sarawak gained independence from Britain as part of Malaysia, marking the occasion with celebrations on this square.

A glimpse of Central Padang in the mid-20th century. Photo: Malaysia Old Time Facebook page

This file photo shows a lively buffalo race held on the square during the 20th Independence Day celebrations in 1983. Photo: Malaysia Old Time Facebook page

Padang Merdeka

In the years following independence, the government undertook significant construction at the rear of the square, adding a war memorial (Heroes’ Monument) and fountain.
 
From the late 1960s to the 1990s, the benches around the fountain became a popular rendezvous spot for couples of various ethnicities, who often gathered there during dusk.

From the late 1960s to the 1990s, the benches around the fountain became a popular rendezvous spot for couples of various ethnicities, who often gathered there during dusk. Photo: Kuching Dahulu dan Sekarang Facebook group

In the late 1990s, the war memorial was moved to the Museum Gardens, and the fountain was then filled in.

Despite several transformations, including a renaming to Padang Merdeka, the square’s enduring features always include several century-old cotton silk trees, or pokok kapas, that continue to thrive with remarkable vitality.
 
These trees still annually shed fluffy flowers resembling snowflakes, adding a touch of romantic winter charm to Kuching.
 
Central Padang has been filled with the passionate cries of “Merdeka” since 1963.
 
Over the years, it has hosted grand gatherings and ceremonial reviews for significant occasions such as the 10th, 20th, 30th, and 40th anniversaries of independence, culminating in its official renaming to Padang Merdeka in 2003. 

The majestic Aurora Hotel

On the right side of Padang Merdeka, there is a grand and prestigious hotel named the Merdeka Palace Hotel, which was once known as the famous Aurora Hotel during Kuching’s heyday.
 
The Aurora Hotel, originally founded by the rich Singaporean entrepreneur Tan Hoan Kie, stood at the intersection of Rock Road and McDougall Road, directly facing Padang Merdeka.
 
The three-storey Aurora Hotel opened on November 25, 1955, at a total construction cost of $1.75 million.

Despite several transformations, the square’s enduring features always include several century-old cotton silk trees, or pokok kapas, that continue to thrive with remarkable vitality. Photo: Kuching Dahulu dan Sekarang Facebook group

With 36 luxurious guest rooms, it was considered a super-deluxe five-star hotel in Kuching during that era.
 
Its ground-floor ballroom became a vibrant nightlife spot, a favourite haunt for local elites and socialites, where many took pride in dancing the night away.
 
Over time, as more large-scale star-rated hotels emerged in Kuching by the late 1970s, the former prestigious Aurora Hotel faded from its glory days and underwent multiple changes in ownership.
 
Eventually, in the 1990s, it was demolished to make way for the current Merdeka Palace Hotel.