According to Bernama, Abang Abu Bakar died at the National Heart Institute (IJN).

He was then laid to rest in the Kuching Divisional Mosque cemetery at 6.30pm.

About 300 people comprising family members and friends were present to pay their last respects.

Earlier, Kuching Divisional Mosque imam San’ani Fauzi led the burial prayers at the mosque, moments after the hearse carrying the veteran politician’s body arrived at 5.50pm.

Abang Abu Bakar was formerly deputy president of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) when it was part of Sarawak Barisan Nasional, before it went on to form Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

He served under Dr Mahathir Mohamad as a deputy defence minister, minister in the prime minister’s department, and then defence minister from 1999 to 2003.

He was elected as the assemblyman for Kuching Barat in 1978 and then for Satok in 1981.

He was also the Paloh MP for two terms from 1981 before being elected Kuala Rajang MP for two more terms from 1990.

He leaves behind a widow, Tunku Maziah Tunku Mustapha, a daughter, and a pair of twin sons.