Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong (born 19 September 1948) is a Bruneian aristocrat, civil servant, and politician who previously held several key ministerial positions.

He then attended Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College from 1958 to 1968,[2] graduating in 1964 alongside then-Prince Hassanal Bolkiah, Eusoff Agaki Ismail, and Goh King Chin.

[5] In an October 1991 meeting of the ASEAN Council on Petroleum, Abu Bakar forecasted that upcoming exploration activities could lead to significant discoveries of new oil and gas reserves.

[2] At the same time, he was the chief executive officer of the Mahkota Al-Muhtadee Billah Young Investment Fund in May 1999, and chairman and managing director of Islamic Bank of Brunei and its subsidiaries in July 2001.

This change was made in the midst of criticism of the cabinet's long-standing stability, with some doubting its capacity to handle the difficulties associated with economic diversification and guide the nation into the new millennium.

[10] As the acting minister of culture, youth and sports, he also presided over the handover of the national flag for Brunei's athletes competing in the 2nd ASEAN Para Games in Hanoi on 17 December 2003.

[18] In January 2010, Abu Bakar spoke at the International Telecommunication Union's Regional Human Capacity Development Forum, highlighting Brunei's goal to become a knowledge-based economy by 2035.

[19] On 7 January, he presided over the opening of the Bangar Boat and Passenger Terminal in Temburong District, later touring the facility, which aims to enhance Brunei's economic growth and improve connectivity for both locals and visitors.

[20] On 18 January, during a farewell meeting with the Swedish ambassador, Abu Bakar discussed the need for new initiatives in Brunei–Sweden relations, particularly in ICT, highlighting growing collaboration, especially with major firms like Ericsson and Saab AB.

He emphasised the importance of continuous monitoring, assessment, and adaptation of these initiatives, with active involvement from parents, educators, and the community, as part of MoE's broader efforts to implement SPN21.

[30] On 14 March, Abu Bakar discussed the challenges of securing suitable land for a school in Kampong Mumong due to the presence of peat soil, explaining the cost implications of replacing it, and outlined the ministry's efforts to address teacher shortages by hiring over 170 graduates, while stressing the importance of the education system and the need for better recruitment practices.

[31] Earlier in the year, Abu Bakar became the 33rd Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellow, visiting Singapore from 1 to 9 April 2012 as the third Bruneian recipient, accompanied by his wife and members of MoE.

[35] On 16 March 2014, Abu Bakar held a bilateral meeting with Timor Leste's minister of education, Bendito Freitas, at The Empire Hotel & Country Club in Jerudong.

[38] On 22 October 2015, Abu Bakar was appointed minister of home affairs, succeeding Badaruddin Othman in a wider cabinet reshuffle that saw several senior officials reassigned.

[42] On 11 March 2017, Abu Bakar announced budget increases for licensing and enforcement in Bandar Seri Begawan and Tutong to enhance efficiency, public cleanliness, and business compliance.

[45] On 9 March 2018, he highlighted ministry efforts to boost socio-economic growth through tourism, halal certification, and agricultural expertise, along with business-friendly reforms like reducing Foreign Worker License processing times.

[48] Earlier, on 20 April, he outlined the 2019–2020 Temburong budget, focusing on community leadership, socio-economic growth, and public well-being, while spotlighting initiatives such as "1K1K," "1K1P," and Anugerah Kampung Cemerlang, all aligned with Wawasan Brunei 2035.

[49] On 14 March 2020, Abu Bakar emphasised the need for a "Whole of Nation Approach" to address issues like unemployment and economic development, requiring cooperation from both government and non-government sectors.

He stressed the importance of achieving Wawasan Brunei 2035 for a prosperous future and urged Bruneians to follow health guidelines and take social responsibility in combating COVID-19 for their safety.

[54] Abu Bakar addressed public health measures during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, reporting on vaccination progress[55] and enforcing regulations such as mandatory dog registration by 1 February 2022, with penalties for noncompliance.

[58] Following the end of his ministerial career, he became a patron of the Suri Seri Begawan Raja Pengiran Anak Damit Mosque in the Kampong Manggis and Madang area.