Frank Discussion on Mining Dispute in PBNU, Gus Ipul: Not Personal Assets but Belonging to the Organisation
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Secretary-General of the Nahdlatul Ulama Central Board (PBNU), Saifullah Yusuf or Gus Ipul, has candidly stated that the turmoil over mining permits is the root of the current issues within PBNU.
He said that the circulating information about the mining is no longer false but rather misleading and deceptive.
“But if asked about the mining, as it’s mentioned that there’s a scramble for the mining, to be honest, this is misleading news,” he stated during the Gaspol Kompas.com podcast, aired on Thursday (7/5/2026).
Gus Ipul then explained that all processes related to mining management are carried out based on PBNU meeting outcomes.
“And this mining is awaited by many people. How is this mining? How are the permits? How is the management? How is the ownership? How are the results utilised? This is awaited because it’s not our personal asset that shouldn’t be contested by anyone,” said Gus Ipul.
He also responded to the issue regarding the transfer of the mining company that will manage PBNU’s concession.
Gus Ipul explained that there is no government effort to replace the entrepreneur previously appointed in the prior era.
Interestingly, Gus Ipul mentioned that the PBNU company is headed by PBNU General Chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf or Gus Yahya as the main director, with 99 percent shares owned by the PBNU cooperative.
“And this cooperative is chaired by Gus Yahya. So the chairman, the largest shareholder, is Gus Yahya, the main director is Gus Yahya, the General Chairman (of PBNU) is Gus Yahya, so how to seize from where? How to seize it?” said Gus Ipul.
Therefore, Gus Ipul stated that Gus Yahya, as Director, must be responsible for all company policies, especially in signing documents related to the mining permit company.
PBNU Chairman Ulil Absar Abdala was also mentioned because he once claimed that the scramble for mining permits was the background for the split between Gus Yahya and Gus Ipul.
“I also want to ask where the documents are if there is a scramble. And if seized, what is the benefit for us,” he said.
In closing, Gus Ipul said he has plenty of evidence regarding asset management, the benefits of which will be fully given to the NU organisation.
“We have strong evidence, strong documents on how these assets, once in production and generating profits, must be given entirely for the interests of the Jam’iyah,” he emphasised.