Merdeka MRT station is named after the historical Independence Stadium (Stadium Merdeka), where Malaysia was declared independent from the British Empire on 31^st August 1957. Due to its historical significance, the underground station features lots of cultural decorations, including the text of the Malaysian national pledge on the wall of the station’s concourse, flags and emblems of each state of Malaysia on every pillar, as well as a 14-pointed star motif on the ceiling above the escalator.

Travellers who disembark at this station are within a 20-minute walk from landmarks such as Merdeka Stadium, Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Petaling Street, Kuan Yin Temple, and St. Anthony’s Church. Merdeka is also connected with the Plaza Rakyat LRT station via a 150 metre-long pedestrian walkway, allowing commuters to interchange with the LRT Ampang Line and the LRT Sri Petaling Line.