Vice President Ma'ruf Affirms PBNU Cannot Intervene PKB

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin received an audience with the Chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Muhaimin Iskandar alias Cak Imin at the Vice President's Official Residence, Jakarta, Monday 15 May 2023. (doc Setwapres)

JAKARTA - Vice President of the Vice President) Ma'ruf Amin emphasized that the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board could not intervene in the National Awakening Party (PKB). This was emphasized by Ma'ruf who is also the Chairman of the PKB's first Syuro Council in response to PBNU's plan to form a five-team or special committee (pansus) to return PKB to NU because both were considered separable. The head of Team Lima during the formation of PKB reminded that there was no structural relationship between PBNU and PKB. He emphasized that these two organizations did have historical relations, but only PKB was formed to become a political forum for NU residents. "I am the chairman of the PKB's first Syuro Council, before Gus Dur as well as me. Actually, PBNU's relationship with PKB is an aspirational relationship, cultural relations, and historical relations, there is no structural relationship," Ma'ruf told reporters, Thursday, August 1.

"So only PKB (which) brings aspirations to NU in politics. So it doesn't intervene with each other. So he (PKB, ed) has independence," he continued.

Rais Aam Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) 10th suggested that PKB and PBNU focus on their respective duties. Namely PBNU remains on the issue of community development, while PKB focuses on political issues.

"It seems that you don't have to continue your task. So if there is a conflict, it is a bit strange too. Because the task is different. So they should work together with their respective tasks," said Ma'ruf. It is known that PBNU plans to form a team of five or something like the PKB Special Committee. Because NU considers PKB and NU should be an inseparable part. PBNU Secretary General Gus Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) said this special committee was formed to straighten history and at the same time return PKBB to PBNU as the rightful owner.

Gus Ipul assessed that currently the PKB elite has made many statements that deviate from the initial fatsun of the establishment of PKB. In fact, he said, there were real and systematic efforts made by the PKB elite to keep PKB away from the NU structure.

"PBNU is in discussion. If necessary, the formation of a fifth team will be carried out immediately. This step is after seeing the historical statements of the PKB elite. There are signs that they will take them away from the history of the establishment of PKB," said Gus Ipul in a written statement, Friday, July 26.