'Advertisement!' Gus Yahya Strongly Denies Allegations Of PBNU TPPU

PBNU General Chair Yahya Cholil Staquf (Gus Yahya) (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The General Chairperson of the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board, Yahya Cholil Staquf or Gus Yahya, strongly denied allegations of money laundering (TPPU) that dragged the name of PBNU and was even said to have led to the threat of disbandment of the organization.

He emphasized that the issue is the realm of law. If needed, PBNU invites law enforcement officials to conduct an examination according to the provisions.

First, the issue of money laundering offenses and others is a legal matter. Please process it legally. We are also waiting if there is an examination, go ahead," said Gus Yahya at a press conference at the PBNU office, Jalan Kramat Raya, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, December 3.

Gus Yahya stated that PBNU always adheres to the principle of being a law-abiding citizen. However, he rejected the accusations made without a clear basis or indication. Don't do anything, but it's made up, has accused the TPPU and used it as an excuse, even though the facts are not there and the indications are also unclear," he said.

Gus Yahya questioned the logic of the accusations that arose only based on unilateral statements without the correct legal process. "The legal process, which is only based on baseless statements, is difficult," he said.

Gus Yahya said the allegations allegedly came from manipulation and fabrication of the internal process of the organization which was actually normal. He revealed that a number of data that had not been finalized was actually misused to lead public opinion.

"Now the accusations made at the beginning are basically unclear. There are even auditors who, if they make statements in the media, they will withdraw because the data used has not been completed, but are misused and manipulated to make accusations," he explained.

Gus Yahya emphasized that the process carried out by PBNU was an effort to improve the organization, not create new problems. "Later, it will be seen that this accusation is indeed a fabrication and manipulation of a reasonable and normal process, but twisted as if it were a legal problem," said Gus Yahya.

Previously, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said that it would investigate the alleged flow of funds from the former regent of Tanah Bumbu, South Kalimantan, who was convicted of a mining business license bribery (IUP) case.

The allegation mentions the flow of funds to PBNU. The KPK emphasized that the search was carried out to ascertain legal facts, while still prioritizing the principle of presumption of innocence.