Dataran Pemuda Merdeka

Historic venue of nationalist and patriotic fervour

At the heart of Butterworth is the majestic Dewan Dato Haji Ahmad Badawi building which is serenely fronted by a large open field named Dataran Pemuda Merdeka. While the building, which has a hall within, was built recently in 2007, the field has seen historic events in the more distant past.

Formerly known as the British Recreation Club, the field was the venue of nationalist rallies prior to independence in 1957. Personages like the late Tunku Abdul Rahman, the first prime minister, are known to have delivered speeches here. The Penang government occasionally organises its state-level Hari Merdeka (Independence Day) celebrations with a grand parade here.