Golkar Secretary-General: NU Will Be More Influential If It Plays 'Big Politics'
Jakarta, VIVA – The Secretary General of the Golkar Party, M. Sarmuji, has invited Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) to distance itself from involvement in ‘small politics’ or practical politics, and instead strengthen its role in ‘big politics’ oriented towards national interests.
This was stated by Sarmuji during a discussion forum titled ‘The Future of NU and NU’s Future’, organised by the Talibuana Nusantara Foundation in Jakarta on Thursday, 2 July 2026.
“Whether we like it or not, NU is closely linked to politics, very closely. However, as a member of NU who is not part of a party identical to NU, I hope that NU’s attachment to small politics is reduced; conversely, NU’s involvement in big politics must be further strengthened,” said Sarmuji.
According to Sarmuji, there is a fundamental difference between small politics and big politics. He illustrated that if, during a presidential election momentum, NU is too busy acting as a campaign team and focusing on which candidate will win, it means the pull of small politics on NU is strengthening.
Conversely, if NU focuses more on overseeing the quality of elections to ensure the people’s voices are accurately reflected, then NU’s position in big politics will become even stronger.
“NU is certainly better off being involved in big politics, namely national politics, by positioning itself as a civil society that can advise the state. This is what is currently very lacking: a civil society capable of advising the state, especially advising in a calm and gentle manner, consistent with the NU tradition,” he said.
Sarmuji emphasised the importance of using gentle and subtle methods when delivering advice to the state, as hardline approaches are deemed unproductive. He alluded to the experiences of mass organisations that adopted harsh methods and ended in dissolution, serving as a lesson that confrontational approaches are actually counterproductive.
“This character was exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad: if you wish to advise a leader, then draw them into a private space. NU has such a tradition; it can advise the state without causing offence to the state. This is what is currently missing,” Sarmuji remarked.
He added that the challenge for civil society groups wishing to act as a balance to the state is that their methods of delivery are often difficult for those in power to accept. This is because, according to him, power possesses its own character which is not always identical to the character of the individual holding that power.