Gus Mus: NU's Business Wins Indonesia, Not A Presidential Candidate

YOGYAKARTA - Mustasyar The Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama Kiai Haji Ahmad Mustofa Bisri reminded that Nahdlatul Ulama's task is to improve performance to win Indonesia, not to win presidential candidates.

"The business of NU (Nahdlatul Ulama) improves Indonesia's winning performance, not winning presidential candidates," said Gus Mus, KH Mustofa Bisri's nickname, while giving a tausiah at the opening of the Nahdlatul Ulama Grand Conference and the National Halaqah of the Nahdlatul Ulama Civilization Strategy at the Al-Munawwir Krapyak Islamic Boarding School, Yogyakarta, reported by ANTARA, Monday, January 29.

Gus Mus was worried and joking about leaving the event location if Rais Aam PBNU KH Miftachul Akhyar and PBNU General Chair KH Yahya Cholil Staquf alluded to the 2024 presidential election when delivering his remarks.

However, Gus Mus said he was relieved because the concern did not occur.

"I was already driving around when the general chairman gave a speech, Rais aam gave a speech, maybe he would call the presidential election. As soon as he mentioned the presidential election, I left. That's not the business of NU. Luckily it didn't (regarding the presidential election)," said Gus Mus, greeted by laughter from invited guests.

The caretaker of the Raudlatut Islamic Boarding School, Thalibin, Leteh, Rembang, Central Java, was also asked to lead prayers by hoping that Indonesia and its nation and NU together with their citizens would be given to Allah SWT.

"Hopefully Allah will bless Indonesia, Allah will bless NU, Allah will bless the citizens of NU, Allah will bless the Indonesian people," said Gus Mus.

Previously, PBNU Chairman KH Yahya Cholil Staquf (Gus Yahya) emphasized that NU was not involved in supporting the presidential and vice presidential candidate pairs in the 2024 election.

However, Gus Yahya did not deny that some PBNU administrators and NU activists were involved, and even became a successful campaign team participating in the 2024 presidential election.

Gus Yahya ensured that PBNU had imposed an obligation to leave or be inactive for the management involved in the practical politics.

"So PBNU remains in a position not involved in supporting. We will try to carry out the role of imitating Ngarsa Dalem Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X to maintain community togetherness," said Gus Yahyausai meeting the Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X at the Kepatihan Office Complex, Yogyakarta, Monday.