Sinar Harian quoted Takiyuddin as saying that the Islamist party’s deputy spiritual adviser Datuk Ahmad Yaakob will be filling in Haron’s position for the time being. "Outsiders cannot be appointed and as of now, there is not urgent need because the acting [spiritual adviser] is already there,” he was quoted saying, referring to Ahmad. "The appointment of spiritual adviser and deputy must go through the Syura Ulama’s council meeting, when there are 15 members. "Now there are 14 people and there may be one more person who will be appointed. They will meet, and the decision will be up to the Syura Council on who they want to appoint,” the Kota Baru MP added. Despite Takiyuddin’s explanation, Ahmad has said earlier this week he would not be replacing Haron. Haron, who had battled heart problems for some time, died this month at a hospital in San Francisco where he had undergoing treatment. The religious healer’s death came a year and a half after he was elected as PAS spiritual adviser to succeed the late Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.