PEKAN: The late Chini assemblyman Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Harun was a man of few words who would occasionally raise ideas that touch people's hearts.
Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said the four-term assemblyman spoke little but he would gain attention when he raised suggestions at meetings.
"Abu Bakar leaves behind fond memories. He has his ways of getting things done, and his death saddens everyone. I last spoke to him through a video conference meeting two weeks ago.
"I invited him for a meal but he politely declined, saying he had to return to his constituency to distribute aid for those affected by Covid-19," he said when met at the Felda Chini Muslim burial ground today where Abu Bakar's remains were laid to rest.
"We developed a close bond in politics. He was hard working and during his third term, Abu Bakar was picked as state executive council member.
"He would regularly return to serve his constituents and had never neglected them.
Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, he continuously assisted those whose livelihood was affected."
Abu Bakar died due to a heart attack at 11.55pm yesterday. He was 60.
Meanwhile, State Culture, Unity, Social Welfare, Women and Family Development Committee chairman Datuk Seri Shahaniza Shamsuddin described Abu Bakar as someone who was tactful with his words.
"Since he is from Jengka 3, Maran and I am the Kuala Sentul assemblyman (in the same area), we are quite close. Every year, I will visit him during Aidilfitri at his family house in Jengka 3.
"We last met during the state assembly sitting on April 20 but only for a short while as the sitting was restricted due to the movement control order."
Meanwhile, Pahang Pas deputy commissioner Andansura Rabu remembered Abu Bakar as the first person who congratulated him on his victory as the Beserah assemblyman during the General Elections in 2013.
"Since both our parents were Felda settlers, Abu Bakar said it was a special feeling to see children of Felda settlers becoming elected representatives to serve the people."
Former Umno Felda Chini 3 branch chairman Jaafar Ishak, 73, said Abu Bakar's political career began when he joined Umno in 1983.
"Before joining politics, he was working as the D'Mart grocery store manager at Felda Sungai Nerik in Maran. I was the branch chairman when he joined politics. Abu Bakar holds a special place in his constituents' heart.
"He hosted a lemang festival every year to help Felda settlers in his constituency to foster close ties. Whenever someone required assistance, he would immediately arrange necessary aid."
During the 14th General Elections, Abu Bakar secured a 4,622 majority to win the Chini state seat by defeating Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's Mohamad Razali Ithnain and Pas candidate Mohd Fadhil Noor Abdul Karim.
Chini is one of the four state seats under the Pekan parliamentary constituency.