There is a new sensation making waves in the PAS-controlled state of Kelantan. And no, it's not Mawi or any other Akademi Fantasia or Malaysian Idol winner.

Believe it or not, the new poster-boy is former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, whose leadership was previously rejected repeatedly by the people in the state.

Even PAS, the Islamic-opposition party, had equated voting for him and his Barisan Nasional coalition to buying a ticket to hell. And as far as Mahathir was concerned, the feeling was mutual.

But times have definitely changed, and the streets in Kota Bahru are testimony to this.

All over the Kelantan capital are posters and banners urging the people to be present at a dialogue with Mahathir at Hotel Perdana tomorrow.

Larger banners, prominently featuring Mahathir and his wife Dr Siti Hasmah, were strung up at strategic spots around major junctions advertising the same event and another dinner function at the Grand Riverview Hotel later that night.

'National hero'

The grandest poster was put up in front of the Sultan Ismail Petra airport in Pengkalan Chepa. It described Mahathir as a 'national hero' and his wife as an 'exemplary mother' (ibu Mithali).

The seven-metre tall poster also proclaimed that Mahathir's contribution to religion, race and country is beyond comparison.

Umno supporters have also put up banners to welcome the former premier and urged him to safeguard the honour of the religion, race and country.

The most ironical poster however is the one bearing a PAS logo together with a photo of a younger Mahathir. It called on the people to attend both his functions.

PAS organ Harakahdaily also reported on the banners and posters which have flooded the capital.

According to its report, there is a huge poster near the airport which reads: 'Tun, continue with your struggle, the people of Kelantan are with you'.

Mahathir's visit to the east coast state is his first in a series of planned public lectures to explain his scathing criticisms against his successor, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's administration.

Previously, Mahathir claimed that the Umno leadership is barring him from meeting party members but the party has denied this.

The former premier is expected to arrive in Kelantan at 10.30 am and a small procession has been planned to usher him and his wife to their hotel.