The spirit of creativity, community and culture will come alive at Stadium Merdeka this weekend as it plays host to the RIUH x ASEAN Marketplace 2025 from 24th to 26th October. The nation’s most iconic landmark, known for its deep historical significance, will once again open its doors to Malaysians and visitors from across the region for a vibrant celebration of art, music and entrepreneurship.
As the venue sponsor for this year’s event, PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn. Berhad (PNBMV), a wholly owned subsidiary of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), is proud to welcome the public back to Stadium Merdeka for one special weekend. This collaboration reflects PNBMV’s ongoing dedication to the Warisan KL initiative, an effort to preserve and revitalise the heart of Kuala Lumpur by transforming it into a thriving hub for creativity and cultural exchange.
PNBMV Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Tengku Ab. Aziz Tengku Mahmud, expressed his excitement over the partnership, highlighting the event’s alignment with the company’s vision to connect communities and showcase Malaysian talent. He shared that the RIUH x ASEAN Marketplace embodies the essence of unity, heritage and creativity that Stadium Merdeka stands for. The event will also feature several local entrepreneurs supported by PNBMV’s Merdeka 118 Community Grants Programme, providing small businesses and social enterprises with an opportunity to share their crafts, products and stories with a wider audience.
Since its official reopening in 2024, Stadium Merdeka has been steadily reactivated as an inclusive public space for Malaysians to gather, celebrate and connect. The RIUH x ASEAN Marketplace further strengthens this mission by creating a lively platform where local and regional communities can come together in the spirit of creativity and collaboration.
Visitors to the event can look forward to exploring a diverse range of stalls and showcases by Merdeka 118 Community Grants recipients, including handcrafted decoupage art by Hanuni Halim, sustainable upcycled plastic creations by Hara Maker and stingless bee honey products produced by International Islamic University Malaysia’s community enterprise. Art lovers will also enjoy the captivating photography exhibition by Jamal Tommy Gallery, while collectors can pick up exclusive Stadium Merdeka merchandise.
Held in conjunction with Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025, the three-day festival will bring together more than 100 retail and F&B brands alongside a host of creative workshops and performances from across Southeast Asia. Among the highlights are Coffee Painting and Wau Making workshops, live performances by Malaysia’s own Aina Abdul, Estranged and Atilia Haron, as well as special appearances by regional acts such as Singapore’s ALYPH.
Beyond the main festivities, visitors can immerse themselves in the rich surroundings of the revitalised Merdeka 118 precinct. The area is ideally located within walking distance of Kuala Lumpur’s heritage quarters, including Petaling Street and Chinatown, where traditional charm blends seamlessly with modern cafés, art spaces and boutique shops. Nearby, Kampung Attap continues to grow as one of the city’s creative hotspots, featuring independent studios, galleries and design collectives that capture the city’s evolving artistic pulse.
As Stadium Merdeka once again fills with music, laughter and life, RIUH x ASEAN Marketplace 2025 stands as a testament to Kuala Lumpur’s enduring spirit of unity, diversity and innovation. The event not only celebrates the region’s shared cultural heritage but also reaffirms the historic venue’s role as a living landmark a place where past and present converge to inspire a vibrant and connected future.