Abang Abu Bakar bin Abang Mustapha (Jawi: ابڠ ابو بكر بن ابڠ مصطفى; 28 June 1941 – 4 December 2023) was a Malaysian politician from the state of Sarawak. He served as Minister of Defence from 1999 to 2003, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department from 1990 to 1999, and as a Member of Parliament representing the constituencies of Paloh (1982–1990) and Kuala Rajang (1990–1999).
Early Life and Education
Abu Bakar was born on 28 June 1941 in Sarawak. He attended primary school at St Thomas's School in Kuching and secondary school at Malay College Kuala Kangsar. He later studied at King's College, Warrnambool, Australia; the University of Adelaide, South Australia; Inner Temple, London; and the International Management Centre, where he received a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 1990.
Political Career
Abu Bakar began his political involvement as Executive Secretary of the Sarawak Alliance Party in 1970. He served as a Member of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly for Kuching Barat (1973–1981) and Satok (1979–1981), and was Speaker of the Sarawak State Council from 1976 to 1981.
He entered national politics as Member of Parliament for Paloh from 1981 to 1990, before representing Kuala Rajang from 1990 to 2000. Under the administration of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Defence (1987–1990), Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (1990–1999), and Minister of Defence (1999–2003). From 1988 to 1998, he served as Deputy President of the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), a component party of the Barisan Nasional coalition.
Other Roles
He was active as President of the Sarawak Native Chamber of Commerce and the Sarawak Muslim Welfare Association. He was also Managing Director of Progressive Insurance Sdn Bhd.
Personal Life and Death
Abu Bakar married Tunku Maziah binti Tunku Mustapha in 1974. The couple had a daughter and twin sons. He died on 4 December 2023 at the National Heart Institute (Institut Jantung Negara) in Kuala Lumpur at the age of 82 due to heart complications. His remains were brought to Kuching, Sarawak, and buried at the Kuching Divisional Mosque cemetery.
Honours
- Malaysia: Companion of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (JMN) (1981); Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM) – Tan Sri (2013)
- Pahang: Knight Companion of the Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (DSAP) – Dato' (1984)
- Sarawak: Knight Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of Sarawak (PNBS) – Dato Sri (1985)
- Negeri Sembilan: Knight Commander of the Grand Order of Tuanku Ja'afar (DPTJ) – Dato' (1990)
