Wahab Akbar | |
---|---|
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Basilan's Lone District | |
In office June 30, 2007 – November 13, 2007 |
|
Preceded by | Abdulgani A. Salapuddin |
Succeeded by | Vacant (Position next held by Hadjiman S. Hataman-Salliman) |
Governor of Basilan | |
In office June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2007 |
|
Succeeded by | Jum Jainuddin-Akbar |
Personal details | |
Born |
Lantawan, Basilan, Philippines |
April 16, 1960
Died | November 13, 2007 Batasang Pambansa Quezon City, Philippines |
(aged 47)
Resting place | Manila South Cemetery, Makati, Philippines |
Nationality | Filipino |
Political party | Liberal Party |
Spouse(s) | Jum Akbar (first wife) Cherrylyn Akbar (second wife) Nur-in Akbar (third wife) Marietta Zamoranos (fourth wife) Unidentified Syrian woman (fifth wife) |
Alma mater | De La Salle Araneta University |
Occupation | Politician |
Religion | Islam |
Ustadz Wahab M. Akbar (April 16, 1960 – November 13, 2007) was a Filipino politician who served three terms as governor of Basilan, during which time he was known for his "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth" policy for dealing with kidnappers and terrorists in the province. He was later elected as congressman for the lone district of Basilan in the House of Representatives, but was one of 4 people killed in a bomb attack at the Batasang Pambansa. Police publicly suspected the attack was directed at him by political opponents.
Wahab Akbar was born in Lantawan, Basilan where his father, Hadji Mohtamad Salajin, served as the town's first mayor. At age 11 Akbar joined his father to fight in the mountains, but after three years Salajin was persuaded to join the government and was appointed mayor of Lantawan by President Ferdinand Marcos.
He studied agriculture at Gregorio Araneta University (now De La Salle Araneta University), but did not finish. A member of the Liberal Party, Akbar was first elected governor of Basilan in the 1998 elections. He was reelected in 2001 and 2004.
Akbar was constitutionally barred from seeking a fourth consecutive term as governor. Instead, he successfully sought election to the Congress, representing the lone district of his home province. One of his wives won the election to succeed him as governor. Another of his wives is mayor of the provincial capital, Isabela City; A third wife ran, and lost, the race to be mayor of another city in Basilan.