Cracks seem to have appeared among former Barisan Nasional elected representatives over ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's slated visit to Kelantan on July 27.

Mahathir was supposed to attend a function organised by the Kelantan branch of Mubarak, the BN former people's representatives association. Members of the organisations are mostly ex-members of parliament and assemblypersons.

However, his on-going spat with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had brought about several twists.

On Sunday, the Kelantan branch vice-chairperson Rozali Isohak announced that the function was called off because of fears that Mahathir's visit would be "exploited by certain quarters".

Today, branch chairperson Ahmad Shahibuddin told malaysiakini that the Kelantan committee had yet to make a decision.

"I was shocked to read the news (on the cancellation) when I was in Kuala Lumpur. The question is: who gave Rozali the power to make the announcement," he said when contacted.

In view of this, he said the vice-chairperson would have to explain why he made the announcement without the committee's knowledge.

According to him, the committee would meet in a day or two to discuss the matter before making a final decison on the controversial issue.

Ahmad Shahibuddin also revealed that Mubarak's federal-level committee wanted the function postponed due to the current political climate.

Asked on the response of Kelantan Umno members to the visit, he said they appeared to be divided

"Don't look down upon Mahathir because he is an experienced leader who had contributed immensely to the country and party.

"People are forgetting him now. Before this, they held him in high esteem and were even willing to kiss his hand," he added.

Pressure from Umno

Ahmad Shahibuddin also accused the state Umno of pressuring Mubarak to call off the function.

"Mubarak knows we are just depending on the state Umno but they (Kelantan Umno) cannot do as they please and try to set the direction for Mubarak," he added.

He was referring to Kelantan Umno state liaison committee chairperson Annuar Musa who reportedly asked Mubarak to cancel the function.

Annuar expressed concern that the function would be misinterpreted in relation to the on-going dispute between Mahathir and the current administration.

Mahathir had criticised Abdullah's government over the decision to scrap the half-bridge project, matters concerning national car manufacturer Proton and the issuance of Approved Permits.

While claiming it was not personal, Mahathir had on one occasion wondered aloud if he made the wrong choice in naming Abdullah as his successor.

Abdullah had chosen to remain silent over the criticisms but several leaders had lambasted Mahathir for allegedly attempting to undermine Umno and the government.

There are fears within the government that Mahathir would use the function in Kelantan to launch another scathing attack against his hand-picked successor.