35th NU Congress: Rais Aam and PBNU Chairman Prohibited from Holding Concurrent Positions
The Organisation Committee of the 35th Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Congress has officially agreed on strict regulations regarding the organisation’s highest leadership. The Rais Aam and the Chairman of the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU), as the congress mandate holders, are now prohibited from holding concurrent political or certain public positions.
The Vice Chairman of the 35th NU Congress Organisation Committee, Prof. Asrorun Niam Sholeh, stated that this agreement was made to maintain the dignity of the organisation’s leadership. “The Chairman and the Rais Aam are the congress mandate holders who serve as symbols of the organisation’s leadership,” Niam said in Jombang on Sunday (30/08/2026).
This prohibition on concurrent positions covers various strategic positions within the government and political parties. The rule is designed to ensure that the top leadership of NU remains focused on their organisational mandate without being distracted by practical political interests.
Niam emphasised that this rule applies only to the Rais Aam and the Chairman of PBNU. Other NU officials outside of these mandate-holder positions are not subject to similar restrictions. This decision was reached through consensus without the need for a voting process.
“This is a wise way forward. The Rais Aam and the Chairman perform their duties as siyasatul ulya (high-level politics), whereas political positions are siyasatuddunya, or worldly affairs,” he added.
In addition to the issue of concurrent positions, the Organisation Committee also agreed that the Ahlul Halli wal Aqdi (AHWA) mechanism will continue to be used in the election process for the Rais Aam of PBNU. AHWA is regarded as the institution with the legitimate mandate to resolve the election process in accordance with organisational regulations.
The Secretary of the Steering Committee (SC) for the 35th NU Congress, Prof. Dr. Ir. Mohammad Nuh, confirmed that the restriction on concurrent positions is specifically reserved for these two top positions. “So, what has been agreed regarding concurrent positions is a product of the congress specifically for the Rais Aam and the Chairman (PBNU). Others are permitted,” M. Nuh asserted.
The 35th NU Congress is taking place at the Bahrul Ulum Islamic Boarding School, Tambakberas, Jombang Regency, from 27–31 August 2026. All results from the Organisation Committee’s agreement will subsequently be brought to the plenary session for final ratification.