In a commentary on Utusan Online, Zulkiflee pointed out that Hadi would be the perfect candidate to replace the late Datuk Dr Haron Din as he has years of political experience, and that there are many other capable leaders who can become the next president instead.

“If Hadi is chosen as spiritual adviser, it will be the right choice seeing as PAS is in need of a leader like him to strengthen the ulama and the Syura Ulama council’s role in the party,” he wrote.

The Utusan editor said that Haron’s greatest success during his tenure as PAS spiritual adviser was to pressure the Islamist party into reviewing its alliance with DAP.

“It has to be understood that PAS is not in a comfortable situation right now, the upcoming general elections will be used to gauge how far the ulama leadership is accepted by PAS after the birth of Parti Amanah Negara,” Zulkiflee added, referring to the offshoot party.

PAS deputy spiritual adviser Datuk Ahmad Yaakob 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.