DAP's decision to not invite Dr Mahathir Mohamad to its national level annual meeting next week was a "betrayal" said Utusan Malaysia.

In a commentary by Awang Selamat - a pen name used collectively by Utusan's senior editors - published today, the author said Mahathir had made compromises without reciprocation from DAP.

He added that Mahathir and other Bersatu leaders had also "assisted" DAP by participating in the Bersih 5 rally, the Pakatan Harapan convention and convincing the Malay masses to support DAP.

"Mahathir had made a 100 percent change in his stand on DAP, to the point he is rejected by Malays. Rightfully, DAP should appreciate the role of this statesman.

"What's wrong with inviting him, at the very least in the capacity as a DAP ally? Is he of no value to DAP? DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang should not humiliate Mahathir and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia in this way," said Awang.

However, Awang also claims that some DAP supporters find Mahathir repulsive and that this had affected the attendance at the Penang DAP convention and Bersih 5.

"Therefore the question for Awang is: Who made the wrong move? Who is using who more and who is being betrayed?" wrote Awang.

Last week, DAP organising secretary Anthony Loke confirmed that the party will only be inviting observers from Harapan allies PKR and Parti Amanah Negara.

Although Bersatu is friendly with Harapan, they are not officially part of the coalition.

According to Bersatu chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin, his party was still in the process of fine-tuning its agreement to join Harapan.