Haron Din appointed PAS new spiritual leader

PAS consultative council of Islamic scholars has unanimously appointed Datuk Dr Haron Din as the party’s new spiritual leader.

Dr Haron was elected to fill the position after its incumbent Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat died on February 13.

PAS assistant secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan told Astro AWANI, Dr Haron's appointment was decided by the Majlis Syura Ulama in a meeting held on March 8 at PAS Headquarters, Jalan Raja Laut.

"Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yacob will hold the position of new deputy spiritual leader of PAS.

"The Constitution states that PAS spiritual leader is selected by the 15-member of the party consultative coucil of Islamic scholars (Majlis Syura Ulama) for a period of five years,” he said when met at the Parliament lobby today.

According to Takiyuddin, the spiritual leader position is not tied to the same period for the positions in party's central committee.

Before this, there was a proposal by certain parties in PAS wanting Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang to be appointed as the party’s new spiritual leader.

Haron Din, 74, is a renowned religious scholar who founded Darussyifa’, the country’s centre for Islamic healing. He lost in the last three general elections for the Arau parliamentary seat to UMNO candidates.