PCNU Surabaya Campaigns Ban On The Use Of NU Names For Politics

The Surabaya City Nahdlatul Ulama (PCNU) Branch Management Building or called 'Hoofdbestuur' located on Jalan Bubutan is planned to be used as a museum. (ANTARA/Fiqih Arfani)

Surabaya City Nahdlatul Ulama (PCNU) Branch Manager, East Java, campaigned to carry out directions from the General Chairperson of PBNU KH Yahya Cholil Staquf regarding the prohibition of using organizational names for practical political purposes, especially approaching the 2024 General Election.

"We have to provide education or campaigns like this, we as organizational administrators have a branch representative assembly (MWC) in sub-districts and branches in villages/kelurahan, because it needs to be conveyed how to move forward," said PCNU Secretary Surabaya Masduki Toha as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, September 7.

PCNU Surabaya City also carries out supervision to minimize the presence of administrators who use the name of the organization for practical political purposes.

The management of religious organizations at the city level did not hesitate to impose sanctions on everyone, especially nahdliyin, who violated instructions from the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board ahead of the 2024 General Election.

"The steps we take if someone uses a name, we will see first and trace where it comes from. From the branches, we will reprimand them, for carrying NU's name," he said.

Socialization also targets the community, so that they can understand that NU organizations are not bound or involved in political processes.

For this reason, Masduki views the direction of the General Chairperson of PBNU as merely to protect the organization, so as not to be used by a handful of individuals in order to reap personal and group benefits.

"Let politics compete in health, not use NU names and don't sell them anywhere. This has also been conveyed by the general chairman," he said.

The focus of the organization is said to remain on religious and social aspects. "So if there is a political problem, leave it to political parties," he said.

Nevertheless, Masduki stated that there is no prohibition for NU residents to enter as cadres or administrators of political parties, as long as they do not carry the name of the organization.

"There is no prohibition against politics, but don't bring up NU's name, NU flag. So the realm must be distinguished, don't mix it," he said.

Previously, PBNU General Chair Yahya Cholil Staquf emphasized that his party would impose sanctions on administrators who use NU institutions for practical political interests.

The imposition of sanctions is carried out in stages, namely by warning, giving warnings, and dismissal from structural management.

Some time ago, there were several administrators at the district level who were reprimanded by PBNU for holding a presidential candidate declaration at the NU office.