Who Owns PBNU? FORBES NU 26 Investigates the Organization's Governance Ahead of the 2026 Congress
DEPOK - The NU 26 Joint Forum (FORBES) held a critical discussion entitled "Rembug Warga NU: PBNU Milik Siapa? Testing Accountability and Organizational Governance" on Monday (15/6/2026). Held at the Arrahmaniyyah Pondok Pesantren, Cipayung, Depok, this forum is an open dialogue space for Nahdliyin residents to dissect the organizational challenges ahead of the 2026 Nahdliyin People's Congress.
As the largest religious organization in Indonesia, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) has a vital role in social, national, and educational life. This discussion highlights the urgency of transparent, accountable, and participatory governance to maintain the dignity of the organization.
Testing the Accountability of the PBNU in the Midst of Organizational Dynamics
The Coordinator of FORBES NU 26, Dr. KH. Abdul Waidl, M.A., emphasized that this forum is an intellectual and moral effort to return NU to the tradition of a healthy and democratic organization.
"NU belongs to all Nahdliyin citizens. Therefore, the management of the organization must always be based on the principles of consultation, openness, accountability, and respect for the organization's constitution. This forum is a space for citizens to convey ideas for mutual improvement," said KH. Abdul Waidl.
In recent years, there have been various grassroots concerns related to the internal dynamics of PBNU. This forum specifically dissects three crucial issues:
Centralization of Power: There is a tendency for centralized decision-making and a weakening of the tradition of deliberation and collegiality. Institutional Stagnation: The minimal effectiveness of a number of autonomous institutions and bodies in responding to the needs of the people. Transparency & Accountability: Criticism related to the management of public resources and finances, as well as mitigating potential conflicts of interest in the organization.Welcoming the 2026 Nahdliyin Community Congress
This NU citizen's Rembug presents credible sources, including Dr. KH. AS Hikam and KH. Badiul Hadi, SE, M.Si. The discussion involving NU managers, academics, civil society activists, to NU youth cadres aims to formulate strategic recommendations.
The results of this discussion will later become a valuable contribution to thinking ahead of the implementation of the Nahdliyin Residents Congress in August 2026.
FORBES NU 26 emphasizes that organizational improvement is not an effort to divide, but a common agenda to ensure that NU remains a diniyah ijtima'iyah (religious and social organization) that is independent, authoritative, and always in the interests of the people.