KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 — PAS must continue to find the “best way” to implement hudud, the Islamic penal code, as mandated by the late spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, his deputy Datuk Haron Din said yesterday.

In an interview with Malay news portal Sinar Online, Haron said this included standing up to any parties who are trying to prevent its implementation, including Pakatan Rakyat ally DAP.

“‘Tok Guru’ has reminded, we have to find the best way to implement hudud in Kelantan because that has been entrusted by Allah,” Haron said, using a term of reverence for Nik Aziz.

“DAP and anybody can oppose hudud all they want. Oppose it then! PAS will implement hudud as best as possible.”

Haron also said in a separate article that PAS will elect a new spiritual leader and his deputy among the 16 members of the Ulama Syura Council in the next party polls, despite his having taken on Nik Aziz’s duties ever since the latter’s health deteriorated.

Yesterday, Malay daily Sinar Harian reported Nik Aziz’s son Nik Mohammad Abduh as saying that implementing hudud was his late father’s last will.

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang also said last week that the onus was now on the Islamist party to see through the controversial law, saying it was the wish of the former Kelantan mentri besar who espoused “Islamic values” and had laid the foundation for its implementation.

The Kelantan government plans to table a Private Member’s Bill in Parliament in March to seek approval for amendments to the Syariah Criminal Code II 1993 to enable hudud to be implemented in the state.

Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah said the special sitting of the state assembly scheduled for last December 29 on the amendments had to be postponed when floods hit the state.

Nik Aziz, 84, died on February 12 after he was readmitted to hospital due to his ailing health.

The Chempaka state assemblyman lead the Kelantan PAS government for 23 years until 2013, when he stepped down as mentri besar and was succeeded by Datuk Ahmad Yaakob.