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. ==Personal life==