Abang Abu Bakar

Tan Sri Abang Abu Bakar bin Abang Mustapha (Jawi: ابڠ ابو بكر بن ابڠ مصطفى; June 1941 – 4 December 2023) was a Malaysian politician who was Minister in the Prime Minister's Department from 1999 to 2003 and a Member of Parliament for Kuala Rajang, Sarawak.

Education
Abu Bakar received his primary school education in St Thomas's School, Kuching then went further with his secondary school education to the premier Malay College Kuala Kangsar. His later education was at King's College, Warrnambool, Australia, University of Adelaide, South Australia and Inner Temple, London and International Management Centre for his MBA which he received in 1990.

Career
Abu Bakar was the Managing Director of Progressive Insurance Sdn Bhd, Executive Secretary of Sarawak Alliance Party in 1970, MLA for Kuching Barat (1973–1981) and Satok (1979–1981). He was also the Speaker of the State Council from 1976 to 1981, Member of Parliament for Paloh (1981–1990) and Kuala Rajang (1990–2000). From 1988 to 1998, he was the Deputy President of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu.

In the Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad first cabinet, he was appointed the Deputy Minister of Defence, then the Minister in Prime Minister's Department in 1990–1999 and lastly the Minister of Defence in 1999–2003.

Abu Bakar was also active as the President of the Sarawak Native Chamber of Commerce and Sarawak Muslim Welfare Association.

Honours of Malaysia

 * 🇲🇾 Malaysia :
 * MY Darjah Yang Mulia Pangkuan Negara (Defender of the Realm) - SMN.svg Companion of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (JMN) (1981)
 * Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia - PSM.svg Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM) – Tan Sri (2013)
 * Pahang :
 * MY-PAH Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang - Knight Companion - DSAP.svg Knight Companion of Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (DSAP) – Dato' (1984)
 * Sarawak :
 * MY-SAR Order of the Star of Sarawak - 2 ribbon PNBS -JBS-PBS-ABS-BBS.svg Knight Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of Sarawak (PNBS) – formerly Dato', now Dato Sri (1985)
 * Negeri Sembilan :
 * MY-NEG Grand Order of Tuanku Jaafar - DPTJ.svg Knight Commander of the Grand Order of Tuanku Ja'afar (DPTJ) – Dato' (1990)

Personal life and death
Abu Bakar married Puan Sri Tunku Puan Sri Maziah binti Tunku Mustapha in 1974. On 4 December 2023, he died in Kuala Lumpur, at the age of 82.