Gus Yahya Makes Sure Not To Attend PBNU's Plenary Syuriyah

PBNU General Chair Yahya Cholil Staquf at the PBNU office, Jakarta, Tuesday (9/12/2025). BETWEEN/Asep Firmansyah

Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board Yahya Cholil Staquf confirmed that he would not attend the PBNU plenary meeting initiated by PBNU Syuriyah, at The Sultan Hotel, Jakarta on Tuesday night.

"Yes, what for, there is no context," said Gus Yahya at the PBNU office as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, December 9.

Gus Yahya explained that the plenary agenda was not part of the organization's official mechanism. But it is a maneuver to bring him down.

According to him, the plenary session will discuss the election of the general chairman is only part of internal political efforts. He emphasized that he is still the legitimate Chairman of PBNU

"That's a maneuver, like I said from the start de jure and de facto, I am still in my position as General Chair of Tanfidizyah PBNU," he said.

Gus Yahya explained that the plenary meeting could not remove him from the chair of the general chairman. The reason is, the replacement of the general chairman must go through an official organizational mechanism and according to the AD/ART, namely the congress.

The congress is the highest forum in PBNU and will only be held in 2027. According to him, there is no other way to remove it except through the congress.

"Well, while the congress must be held together by Rais Aam and the General Chair. There is no alternative. Yes, the road is still there (the congress). Because if not, then the congress will last forever, right?," he said.

He said that before the conflict escalated, he always tried to meet Rais Aam PBNU Miftachul Akhyar. However, said Gus Yahya, he was always not pleased.

"Yes, I've (asked to meet), I'm waiting for an answer from him. I've said several times. As announced in the release, I'll wait for the schedule," said Gus Yahya.