Great loss to state, country

KUCHING: The passing of former Minister of Defence Tan Sri Abang Abu Bakar Abang Mustapha is a great loss to Sarawak and the country. 

In expressing her sadness over the demise of Abang Abu Bakar, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said  his service, devotion and sacrifice towards the state were greatly appreciated and only God could repay them.

“May all his family members be given strength and perseverance in facing these difficult times,” she said in a statement. 

Abang Abu Bakar, 82, breathed his last at National Heart Institute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur yesterday at 9.55 am.

In the first cabinet of the former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Abang Abu Bakar held the positions of Deputy Minister of Defence and subsequently  Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department from 1990 to 1999 before serving as the Minister of Defence from 1999 to 2003.

The son of the late Datuk Bandar Mustapha was deputy president of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) from 1988 to 1998. 

Abang Abu Bakar was also an assemblyman for Kuching West  from 1973 to 1981. He represented Satok constituency from 1979 to 1981. 

His political journey included being Paloh MP from 1981 to 1990 and  Kuala Rajang MP from 1990 to 2000.

Abang Abu Bakar is survived by his wife, Puan Sri Tunku Maziah Tunku Mustapha, a daughter and two twin sons.