this is Labang Bazaar with only three shops in operation now. Started in the 1920'sby the then Rajah Brooke, it was a thriving bazaar made up for as many as 18 shops then. Jungle produce like rattan, jelutong, damar and belian came from upriver, brought down by Ibans, Punans, Kayans and other minority races in the 1920's till the Second World War. In fact Bintulu was exporting all these products to Kuching and then Singapore. Bintulu was indeed a major belian exporter in those days. Labang was well known.
During the Second World War Labang was known as the furthest point the Japanese were able to reach. The Ibans from the Kemena valley set up defences with guns provided by the Brooke Government (given before the War) to protect every one, while many of the Chinese hid from the enemies in Sebauh, Padan and Upper Labang and even Tubau.
In the 1980's Labang was a famous timber producing area with lots of sawmills and timber camps. In the 1990's Labang was a pit stop for Bakun engineers and truck drivers. It was also a great supply base.
today with Pan Borneo reaching completion, Labang along the highway has become a sleepy bazaar.
Today Labang is administered by the Sebauh local district.
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