PAS leaders today lauded the appointment of Dr Haron Din as the deputy mursyidul am or spiritual adviser to the party.

Central working committee member Kamaruddin Jaafar said the appointment, which makes Haron number two in the Majlis Syura Ulama (consultative council), will strengthen the council's role in guiding the party.

"As someone who has achieved the highest level of academic achievement and has a long history in the party, he will be of tremendous help to the council and party," he added.

He said Haron, a former dean of the Islamic studies faculty in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, has a good stature in society and this will help PAS project a national image.

Kamaruddin said following the dismal performance in the March 21 polls, this is 'what we need at the moment'.

"His (Haron's) ability to speak not only good Malay and Arabic but also English is a great help to the party to advance the image that we are not only religious and Islamic but that we also understand the world and want to communicate with the world," he added.

Professional ulama

Echoing similar views, PAS Youth chieh Sallahudin Ayub said Haron's appointment will help the council form constructive strategies to enhance the party's image and influence.

"To most youths he is what a ulama (Islamic scholar) should be. He is a perfect example of what we want to see in a ulama. He is the perfect example of a professional ulama.

"He has the versatility that should be exemplified by other ulama. He is not only well versed in religion but also medicine, psychology and public relations," he said.

Meanwhile, Haron, who looks set to take over from PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat, expressed surprise over his appointment but pledge to do his best to help the council.

"The post is a challenge to me as there are a lot of problems - related to the religion - that must dealt with by the council.

"At this point, we are aware that youths are seeking change and we will look into their calls and points before we can decide," he said when met.

Prior to his appointment, the renowned Islamic scholar was the PAS information chief.

Well respected

According to a party source, Haron's rapid rise from being the council's committee member to deputy chief was partly due to Nik Aziz's health condition.

"In the event Nik Aziz's health denies him from being able to make decisions on important issues they want to make sure that someone reliable and credible is there to take over," he said.

However, the source said the appointment will not cause any dissatisfaction and the handing over of the post from ex-deputy mursyidul am Idris Omar was 'smooth and consensual'.

He said Idris realised that Haron is a more credible candidate for the post and had no difficulty in paving the way for him.

"Even when he was a normal committee member, he was very active and had contributed much. For instance he played a big role in helping the council draft the Islamic state from the research level up till the end.

"He is highly respected among members and they unanimous agreed that he should take over Idris when they had a meeting about it two weeks ago," he added.