Cak Imin Pushed into the Race for PBNU Chairman

One of the figures who recently actively pushed for the holding of the Extraordinary Congress of Nahdlatul Ulama (MLB NU) has suddenly openly declared support for Muhaimin Iskandar, or Cak Imin, to enter the race for Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU).

That figure is the Chairman of the Pre-MLB NU Implementation Committee, KH Mas Muhammad Maftuch or Gus Maftuch. In 2024, he, along with KH Abdusallam Shohib alias Gus Salam and dozens of other kyai, declared the formation of the Presidium for Saving the Organisation and the Extraordinary Congress of Nahdlatul Ulama Committee (PO & MLB NU).

The MLB ultimately did not take place, and instead, the 35th NU Congress is now scheduled for August.

“I express my hope, prayer, and support for Muhaimin Iskandar, or familiarly known as Cak Imin or Gus Muhaimin, as a candidate for Chairman of PBNU,” said Gus Maftuch in his statement to CNNIndonesia.com on Monday (27/4).

Cak Imin is currently the Chairman of the PKB and also serves as Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment.

Gus Maftuch assesses that Cak Imin is a highly mature political figure, having been involved on the national stage for more than 27 years. This long experience is considered a significant asset for Cak Imin to transition from practical politics to leadership in Indonesia’s largest religious organisation.

“Gus Muhaimin (Cak Imin) is one of the political figures who has undergone a long journey on the national stage. With various experiences of more than 27 years in the political world, he has certainly gone through various phases, dynamics, as well as the ups and downs of power and politics. That experience positions him as a politically mature figure rich in lessons and experiences,” he said.

In addition, he assesses that Cak Imin has reached the peak of his political career, so according to this caregiver of the Nur Muhammad Islamic Boarding School in Surabaya, the figure he proposes should begin to take on a more substantive and reflective role for the welfare of the ummah.

Gus Maftuch also suggested that Cak Imin detach himself from all forms of practical political contestation to focus on running for Chairman of PBNU.

“Gus Muhaimin has reached the peak phase as a politician, so it is time for him to take on a more reflective and substantive role, not electoral anymore, namely by ‘ascending’ to become pandito ratu through the path of leaving practical politics with honour for the victories he has achieved in the political world,” he said.

In terms of lineage, Gus Maftuch also mentioned that Cak Imin has strong historical roots with NU. As the great-grandson of one of NU’s founders, KH Bisri Syansuri, Cak Imin is seen as having a moral responsibility to continue the struggle of the ulama.

“Historically and genealogically, Gus Muhaimin also has strong ties with NU. He is the great-grandson of KH Bisri Syansuri, one of the five main founders of NU as well as the founder of the Mambaul Ma’arif Denanyar Islamic Boarding School, Jombang,” said Gus Maftuch.

“This lineage is not merely a symbolic identity, but for Gus Muhaimin, it carries a moral and historical responsibility to continue the relay of the ulama’s struggle in guiding the ummah, preserving scholarly traditions, and nurturing Islamic values that are rahmatan lil ’alamin,” he continued.

Gus Maftuch emphasised that the transfer of the leadership baton from a political party to an ulama organisation is not a step back for Cak Imin, but rather a major leap towards broader service.

Previously, after the turmoil in PBNU’s leadership towards the end of last year that ended in reconciliation, the congress or grand deliberation of Indonesia’s largest Islamic mass organisation will be held in August.

PBNU’s Rais Aam, KH Miftachul Akhyar, stated his hope that the 35th NU Congress would be held from 1-5 August 2026. As for the location, he said, it is still being discussed.

“The implementation of the NU Congress in early August, dates 1-5 August, is already the congress cycle, because the previous congress in Jombang was also in August,” he said when closing the Regional Working Meeting (Muskerwil) of PWNU East Java at the Sunan Bejagung 2 Islamic Boarding School, Tuban, on Sunday (12/4), quoted from the NUOnline Jatim website.

“Regarding the location, we will discuss it first, whether in Surabaya or Jakarta, it could also be at an Islamic boarding school, whether at the Walisongo Islamic Boarding School, Situbondo under KH Cholil Asad or the tuan guru’s boarding school in NTB which has long requested it, or in West Sumatra which is supported by three provinces,” he added.

Recently, it was confirmed that PBNU is refining preparations for the 35th NU Congress scheduled to take place in August 2026.

“Preparations towards the 35th NU Congress continue to progress and are now entering the maturation stage,” said PBNU General Secretary Saifullah Yusuf, or commonly known as Gus Ipul, in Bandarlampung on Sunday (26/4).

Gus Ipul said that in heading towards the NU Congress, a small committee has now been formed and is finalising various technical needs for the event.

“Preparations continue to run. The small committee has been formed and is completing the committee composition needed for the congress implementation,” said Gus Ipul, who is also the Chairman of the 35th NU Congress Implementation Committee in the future.