KUCHING: The celebrations may have ended, but the aftermath at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur told a different story.
The historic landmark was left strewn with rubbish after an estimated 25,000 football fans gathered in the early hours of Monday (July 20) to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Spain and Argentina as part of the World Cup X Uniti Merdeka 2026 Fiesta.
Expressing disappointment over the condition of the venue, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) said its personnel would carry out the clean-up operation, but stressed that the cleanliness of the capital should not always depend on others cleaning up after those who leave.
“Earlier this morning, thousands gathered to cheer, celebrate football and share in the excitement. But when the celebrations ended, this historic square was left littered with rubbish.
“Our workers will collect what has been left behind, but the cleanliness of Kuala Lumpur should not always depend on someone else cleaning up after we have gone home,” it said in a statement on Facebook.
DBKL described Dataran Merdeka as more than just a public space, calling it a symbol of the nation’s pride and history. It added that the way people leave it behind reflects how much they value it.
While acknowledging that celebrations are part of football’s beauty, DBKL stressed that the freedom to celebrate should never mean the freedom to litter or dirty shared public spaces.
“A great city is not judged only by how many people come together, but by the condition they leave behind when they go home.
“Kuala Lumpur is our home. Let us care for it as we would our own,” the statement said.
