The belian wood plankwalk aka foot bridge (Foochow : ern char peng tieu) from the Lubok Nibong bazaar (originally 19 shops) leads straight to the Huang's mansion, a two storeyed belian house. It was considered a stately mansion in the mid valley of the Baram during its hey days.
Belian or iron wood is one of the strongest hardwood found in the rainforest of Borneo. It is water and termite resistant. Today it fetches top prices in the timber market. The Ibans even include their belian planks and posts as part of their inherited property. A grandfather with belian in his possession would distribute his legacy with pride.
Admired by many who travelled up and down the Baram, and about 20 km from marudi, this mansion is a landmark which could be seen from a great distance.
For many decades before the 1970's Baran folks from all walks of life and from diverse racial backgrounds stopped by Lubok Nibong Bazaar for a meal, do some shopping with the friendly traders or send their rubber to the mill next to the huge house. They could also mill their rice there.
Note : belian plank walk, above flood water. It is more than 1500 m in length all the way from here to the main road which goes to Poyut and Marudi.The Huang Patriarch built the belian house in the late 1950's when rubber prices were good.
Patriarch Huang Teck Sii had come with Foochow Pioneer Hii Nguong Shern in 1927. The humble man had started his work in Lubok Nibong and was a water boy (water carrier) for the Native Officer, Datuk Tuanku Mohammad who later became his landlord and business partner.
He and his good friend Kiing started the rubber milling factory to produce crepe rubber from the 1940's until the late 60's.
River erosion has taken away the rubber and rice mill. (hearsay)
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