KUALA LUMPUR: Former Defence Minister Tan Sri Abang Abu Bakar Abang Mustapha, passed away at the National Heart Institute (IJN) here, today.
Based on the initial information obtained from social media, the 82-year-old died at 9.55am surrounded by his family members.
It is reported that the deceased's remains will be flown to Kuching via the Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM) Subang base today for his funeral prayers.
His remains would be laid to rest at the Masjid Bahagian Kuching after the Asar prayers.
Abang Abu Bakar began his political career in the early 1970s and was elected as the State Assemblyman for Kuching Barat from 1973 to 1979 and for Satok from 1979 to 1981.
He also served as the Speaker of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) from 1976 to 1981.
He then won the Paloh parliamentary seat in 1981 and retained it until 1990.
Afterward, he became the Member of Parliament for Kuala Rajang from 1990 to 2000.
In the Federal Cabinet, he served as the Deputy Defence Minister in Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's first cabinet.
Later, he was promoted to the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department from 1990 to 1999 before leading the Defence Ministry from 1999 to 2003.
He was a member of the United Bumiputera Heritage Party (PBB) and served as the Deputy President of the party from 1988 to 1998.
