PAS Dewan Ulama Chief Mahfodz Mohamed said this was normally the case as the leaders wanted to study the matter carefully before coming to a decision.

“Party leaders are tawaduk (humble and loyal). Haron Din didn’t want to (take up the offer), but once the party decided, he accepted.

“I believe Ahmad Yaakob is like that, too. He didn’t want to accept it right away. He will think about it as the post comes with a big responsibility,” he said to FMT.

Spiritual leaders play the role of an adviser to the party’s executive and are the point of reference in its struggles. They, however, are not involved in the executive management of the party.

Nik Aziz, while holding the post, became one of the key figures in the formation of Pakatan Rakyat, while Haron helped in bridging the ties between PAS and Umno.

PAS’s mouthpiece Harakah Daily today reported that Ahmad wished to remain as the party’s deputy spiritual leader as he wished to let others who may be more qualified to take over the post.

He is the Kelantan menteri besar and Pasir Pekan state assemblyman. He is now acting spiritual leader after Haron passed away on Sept 16.

Mahfodz was informed of Ahmad’s intention through media reports, but said the final decision would be made by the Ulama Syura Council.

“Before this, in the first meeting after Haron’s passing, the PAS president said Ahmad would be the acting spiritual adviser and there was no objection from him,” Mahfodz said.

He also noted how Nik Aziz was also a menteri besar and spiritual leader.

“To me, Ahmad is the best person to head the council. He is a good, humble and modest person.”