Ahead of the Congress, Cak Imin Says PBNU in the Era of Gus Yahya Has Experienced a Setback

JAKARTA - Chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Muhaimin Iskandar or Cak Imin assessed that the Nahdlatul Ulama General Manager (PBNU) under the leadership of Yahya Cholil Staquf (Gus Yahya) has experienced setbacks compared to previous periods.

Cak Imin's statement was made ahead of the 35th PBNU Congress, which is scheduled to take place on August 1-5, 2026 and will be a forum for determining the succession of leadership of the largest Islamic organization in Indonesia.

"This is to be honest. This PBNU period is the most backward PBNU compared to the others. That is the concern of all parties, but only Muhamin who dares to speak," said Cak Imin at the DPR/MPR complex, Monday, June 22.

Cak Imin admitted that he conveyed the criticism as a form of concern for Nahdlatul Ulama. As a NU cadre, he considered that there needed to be a thorough evaluation and improvement so that the organization could grow again.

"Why am I daring to talk? I as a NU cadre do not want there to be a setback in the management of the NU general board," he said.

He hopes that the criticism can be a material for reflection ahead of the congress so that NU is able to improve the organization's governance in the future.

"This is my love as a cadre so that there will be a thorough management change so that there is no conclusion that this period is the most failed period compared to other periods, so that it is realized that there is improvement," he added.

PBNU is scheduled to hold the 35th National Congress on August 1-5, 2026. The highest forum of the organization will discuss various strategic agendas, including choosing new leadership for the next period.

The NU Congress is expected to be a public concern given the role of the organization which has a large mass base and significant influence in social, religious, and national life in Indonesia.

Cak Imin's statement also added dynamics ahead of the implementation of the congress, especially regarding the evaluation of the performance of the PBNU management and the direction of the organization in the future.