Newly appointed Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Hannah Yeoh, has announced the reopening of Padang Merbok, Kuala Lumpur, after it was fenced off in 2022 by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
Taking to her Facebook page, she shared that the fences, which had been in place for years, were removed on Wednesday (14 January 2026).
She wrote, “Padang Merbok will be fully reopened to the publicārestoring access to a space that has always belonged to the people. It was fenced off in August 2022 under the previous Perikatan Nasional administration. The fences have been removed as of 14 January 2026.”
“This MADANI government is in the business of correcting what is wrong, and we begin by returning Padang Merbok to its rightful owners: the public,” the Federal Territories Minister added.
The importance of Padang Merbok
Yeoh went on to explain how Padang Merbok served the general public as a space for recreational activities.
She stated, “For generations, Padang Merbok has been an integral part of Kuala Lumpur, serving as a venue for sports, recreation, and peaceful assembly. Its prolonged restricted access denied citizens this important public space. Located near Dataran Merdeka and Parliament, Padang Merbok holds unique national significance, where community life and democratic expression naturally intersect.”
“Reopening Padang Merbok also addresses the needs of a growing city. Kuala Lumpur faces increasing pressure from traffic, tourism, and large public events, which place a strain on existing public spaces. By restoring this historic field, we provide citizens a safer, more accessible venue to gather, while easing congestion and protecting nearby heritage areas,” Yeoh added.
The Federal Territories Minister ended her post by emphasising that public spaces should serve the people, which has led to Padang Merbok reopening to the public.
Going full circle
In 2022, then-Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah shared that the uncontrolled use of the field had resulted in frequent damage, leading to high repair and upgrade costs. Consequently, fencing was erected to control usage, and the authorities required bookings to be made, a move that sparked outrage among netizens.
At the time, Yeoh, who was and still is the Segambut Member of Parliament (MP), alongside Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil, had jointly urged the local authorities to take down the fence, noting that Padang Merbok is the only space in the area for the general public to gather and relax.
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