Former defence minister Abang Abu Bakar Abang Mustapha passes away

KUCHING: Former defence minister Tan Sri Abang Abu Bakar Abang Mustapha passed away on Monday (Dec 4).

The politician from Sarawak died at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur at 9.55am.

Abang Abu Bakar, 82, had served as defence minister from 1999 to 2003.

Before that, he was appointed the deputy defence minister (1987 to 1990) and minister in the prime minister's department (1990 to 1999).

Abang Abu Bakar was the Paloh MP from 1982 to 1990 and Kuala Rajang MP from 1990 to 1999.

He was also a state assemblyman for Kuching Barat and Satok from 1973 to 1981.

The deputy president of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (1988 to 1998) was also the speaker of the sarawak legislative assembly from 1976 to 1981.