Rais Aam PBNU KH Miftachul Akhyar Resigns From MUI Chair, His Replacement Will Be Discussed

Rais Aam Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board KH Miftachul Akhyar/DOK via BPMI Setpres

JAKARTA - Rais Aam Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board KH Miftachul Akhyar resigned from the position of General Chairperson of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI).

The news was confirmed by the Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) for Fatwa Asrorun Niam Sholeh. Niam explained that Miftachul's resignation letter would be discussed first by referring to internal MUI regulations.

"The resignation letter will be discussed in the meeting by referring to the organizational rules," said Niam in a written statement, Wednesday, March 9.

Niam said that the statement of resignation had been verbally delivered at the PBNU Syuriyah-Tanfidziyah Joint Meeting at Unusia Parung Campus, Bogor, West Java on Wednesday, March 9, afternoon.

"Earlier the Kiai had conveyed orally at the NU PB Meeting and the letter was at the MUI. Then of course it will be processed according to the MUI's AD ART and organizational regulations. We will continue to operate normally as usual until there is an organizational decision," he said.

Niam said the matter of replacing KH Miftachul Akhyar would be discussed at the MUI meeting according to the organization.

"It will be discussed in the MUI meeting, with reference to the rules of the MUI organization," he said.

Niam added that the MUI had not yet regulated the mechanism for the replacement of the resigned chairman. So that this matter will be discussed in organizational meetings.

"There is no rule regarding the mechanism for the resignation. It will be discussed later. Is it possible or not," he said.

Previously, Rais Aam, the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) KH Miftachul Akhyar, stated that he had sent a letter of resignation from the position of General Chair of the MUI.

"When the 34th NU Ahlul halli wal aqdi (Ahwa) congress approved my appointment as Rais Aam, there was a suggestion that I should not hold concurrent positions. I immediately answered sami'na wa atha'na (we listen and we obey)," said Kiai Miftah was quoted on the official NU Online website.