99-door mansion left to rot

NIBONG TEBAL: For over half a century, a colonial mansion with 99 doors has stood dilapidated and forgotten, tucked away behind palm trees in a 16ha estate near here.  

Last used as a Japanese army headquarters during World War II, the 150-year-old building which locals refer to as the “99-door mansion,” has not been occupied since.  

RELIC OFBETTERDAYS:NibongTebal Eco-TourismCouncilsecretaryTan ChinHock (right)invitingjournaliststo view themansion inNibongTebalyesterday.With himare treasurerTan TeohHong(left) andcommitteememberOng EngKeong.

Built in the 1840s by a Briton with East India Company ties, the mansion has 10 rooms, each with five to six doors.  

The remaining doors are at the balcony, dance hall, living room, and the kitchen. 

Nibong Tebal Eco-Tourism Development Council treasurer Tan Teoh Hong said it was a pity that a mansion with such unique architectural design had been left to rot. 

“Now only a caretaker, who has stayed at the mansion for over 60 years, is looking after the property,” he said in an interview. 

“One wing, comprising the kitchen with three doors, collapsed two years ago.  

“I hope the relevant government authorities and the Penang Heritage Trust will do something to restore the building for heritage and tourism purposes.” 

He added that when the price of sugar cane plunged in the 1880s, rubber became a more important commodity in the-then Malaya. 

“We are not sure if the original British owner sold the property. But in the 1880s, because of the growing importance of rubber, the plantation was converted into a rubber estate and the mansion served as a residence and administration office.  

The front of the mansion with 99 doors at Ladang Byram in Nibong Tebal.

“In the 1960s, the estate was transformed into a palm oil plantation.  

“The current owner of the property is a businessman from Perak, who has yet to firm up plans for the mansion,” he said. 

Meanwhile, S. Muniamah, 71, said she had been looking after the mansion alone ever since her 91-year-old husband S. Arumugam died a year ago.