(both lines originally known as STAR-LRT) The station was opened on 16 December 1996, as part of the first phase of the STAR-LRT system's opening, along with 13 adjoining stations along the Sultan Ismail to Ampang route.

The station is named after and located at the rear of Plaza Rakyat, a large mixed-use development project that was stalled during the economic crisis in 1997.

Due to the suspension of the construction project, the pedestrian bridge continues to serve passengers entering and leaving the station until now.

It was initially meant to be only a connecting station without paid zone-to-paid zone integration, but a later update included paid zone-to-paid zone integration, where commuters do not need to tap out and purchase new tickets to transit to the other line.

A covered and air-conditioned 180 metres pedestrian walkway was built, connecting the paid-area concourses of the two stations.