Ahead of the NU Congress, Nasaruddin Umar's Name is Mentioned as the PBNU Ketum Candidate

KEDIRI - The Minister of Social Affairs, who is also the Secretary of the PBNU, Saifullah Yusuf or Gus Ipul, named the Minister of Religion Nasaruddin Umar as one of the figures who are considered eligible to enter the exchange of candidates for the General Chairman of the Nahdatul Ulama (PBNU). Nasaruddin's name emerged ahead of the NU Congress.

According to Gus Ipul, a number of names have begun to be discussed publicly regarding the succession of the PBNU leadership. One that stands out is Nasaruddin Umar who has a long track record in the Nahdatul Ulama environment, including having served as PBNU's katib aam.

"If we look back to the time of Gus Dur, at least the last 40 years, the three previous chairmen have been katib am," said Gus Ipul in Kediri, East Java, Tuesday, June 16.

He explained, the 4th President KH Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur, KH Said Aqil Siradj, and KH Yahya Cholil Staquf have all served as katib am before being elected as chairman of the PBNU.

According to him, Nasaruddin Umar also has a similar background because he had served as katib am of PBNU during the leadership of the late KH Sahal Mahfudh. This experience is considered to be one of the important capital in the leadership of the organization.

However, Gus Ipul emphasized that the determination of the PBNU general chairman was entirely in the hands of the participants of the muktamar through the applicable organizational mechanism. He also ensured that he would not run or be nominated in the upcoming PBNU general chairman election.

The statement was made after a coordination meeting to prepare for the 2026 Nahdlatul Ulama National Conference (Munas) and Grand Conference (Konbes) which took place at the Al Falah Pondok Pesantren, Ploso Village, Mojo District, Kediri Regency.

The meeting was attended by PBNU cadres together with the central, regional, and local committees to mature the preparations for the implementation of the NU Munas and Konbes. Meanwhile, the Regional Manager of Nahdlatul Ulama (PWNU) East Java expressed full readiness to support the implementation of the 2026 NU Munas and Konbes at Al Falah Ploso Boarding School, Kediri.

The Chairman of the Regional Committee for the NU Munas-Konbes from the East Java PWNU, Mustainn, said that various preparations were almost complete and were about to enter the implementation stage. "The point is, the East Java PWNU is ready to support the implementation of the NU Munas-Konbes in Ploso. Our preparations with the local committee are almost 100%, just the implementation," he said.

The series of activities is scheduled to begin on June 20-21, 2026 with the opening of the congress and sessions at the Al Falah Ploso Islamic Boarding School. Furthermore, participants will follow the agenda of the muassis NU pilgrimage in Tebuireng, Jombang Regency, on June 22, 2026.

The activity will be closed in Bangkalan Regency, Madura, on June 23, 2026 and is planned to be attended by President Prabowo Subianto.

The Chairman of the East Java PWNU, KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz or Gus Kikin, hopes that the NU Munas and Konbes can run smoothly and produce strategic decisions that strengthen the organization's leadership system in accordance with the values and ideals of the founders of Nahdatul Ulama.

"We are optimistic that the forum will be a means of consolidating the organization ahead of the 35th congress or the Second Century Congress of Nahdlatul Ulama," said Gus Kikin.