PETALING JAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - The spiritual leader of Malaysia's opposition PAS, Nik Aziz Nik Mat, has regained consciousness after being admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.

His son Nik Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz said the former Kelantan Mentri Besar, who was admitted to Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital (HUSM) in Kubang Kerian, had shown signs of positive recovery on Wednesday morning.

"This morning my father reacted positively to the medication prescribed to him.

"He regained consciousness early this morning, and performed Subuh prayers before having a cup of tea and a chat with us," he said, adding that the veteran PAS leader was in a good mood.

Nik Abduh, who is also Pasir Mas MP, said his father spoke to the doctors while he was awake. He added that the doctors were pleased with the progress but will continue to keep his father under intensive care.

It was reported earlier that the 83-year-old spiritual leader was warded due to prostate cancer and had undergone chemotherapy in 2012.

Nik Aziz helmed the Kelantan government for 23 years as Chempaka assemblyman under the Pengkalan Chepa constituency.

He retired in 2013 and was replaced by his deputy, Datuk Ahmad Yakob, after the 13th general election when he beat Barisan candidate Wan Razman Wan Abd Razak by a majority of 6,500 votes.