The late Tan Sri Abang Abu Bakar Abang Mustapha.

KUCHING, Dec 4: Former defence minister Tan Sri Abang Abu Bakar Abang Mustapha passed away at 9.55am today at the National Heart Institute due to heart failure.

According to Bernama, the matter was confirmed by the late Abang Abu Bakar’s son, and the remains were brought back to Kuching for a Jenazah prayer held at Kuching City Mosque at about 5pm before being buried at the Mosque’s cemetery compound.

Abang Abu Bakar, 82, left behind a wife, Puan Sri Tunku Maziah Tunku Mustapha, and three children.

The late Abang Abu Bakar has extensive experience in politics, including having served as a Member of Parliament for Sarawak for two decades for the Paloh from 1981 to 1990 and Kuala Rajang (1990 to 2000) constituencies.

He also served as a minister under the leadership of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, starting with the position of Deputy Minister of Defense and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department from 1990 to 1999 before being appointed to lead the Ministry of Defense until 2003. — DayakDaily