PAS will not give Umno a walkover in the Rompin by-election, eventhough the ruling party gave the Islamist party a free pass in Chempaka by-election.

PAS vice-president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man ( left ) said there is no reason to make things easy for Umno, as the party had made things difficult for the people by implementing the goods and services tax (GST).

"There is no reason for PAS to make things easy for Umno, because the BN government led by Umno did not make things easy for the people by introducing the GST," he said in a statement today.

Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob yesterday urged PAS not to contest in Rompin, out of respect for the late incumbent Jamaluddin Jarjis, as well as to save both parties money, time and energy.

He added that Umno had given PAS the same respect when it did not contest in Chempaka following Nik Aziz Nik Mat's death.

Rubbished Adnan's reasoning

Tuan Ibrahim however rubbished Adnan's reasoning.

"If this is so, will Umno give a free win to PKR in Permatang Pauh?

"If Umno wants to save money, it is better for (Adnan) to support Dr Mahatir Mohamad in urging prime minister Najib Abdul Razak to answer questions on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and other issues faced by the rakyat," he said.

He added that Umno giving PAS a walkover in Chempaka doesn't mean the two parties are now buddies as the Umno headed federal government has not given Kelantan its oil royalties.

Tuan Ibrahim said it would actually benefit the people of Rompin for PAS to contest the by-election.

"(Contesting will lead to) the roads and lights (in Rompin) being fixed, aid from the state and federal government will arrive for the people of Rompin because this is an Umno stronghold," he said.