Gus Imin Claims Gus Yahya Failed to Lead PBNU, Gus Ipul Refuses to Deny

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The General Secretary of the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU), Saifullah Yusuf or Gus Ipul, refused to deny the statement made by the Chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB), Muhaimin Iskandar or Cak Imin. The statement in question was Cak Imin’s claim that PBNU Chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf had failed to lead Indonesia’s largest Islamic organisation. “As an NU member, I think Cak Imin is allowed to provide criticism and opinions, and that should be appreciated,” said Gus Ipul during the Gaspol Kompas.com event on Thursday (7/5/2026). According to Gus Ipul, within the framework of criticism and input, everyone has the right to critique the current leadership of PBNU. PBNU will later use it as material for evaluation of what is lacking in Gus Yahya’s leadership. “Indeed, it contains a message of hope,” he said. Previously, at the Indonesian Muslim Students’ Association Alumni (IKA PMII) event on 19 April 2026, Cak Imin stated that Gus Yahya had failed to lead PBNU. “Lately, I’ve often discussed it, discussions about NU. The conclusion is the same, the current regime cannot be continued, it cannot be continued,” said Cak Imin. “Why? Because we can no longer entrust our hopes to it, especially the current PBNU Chairman, in my opinion, has already failed,” he added. “But anyway, whether forced or there are many alumni, I’m forced to speak, representing those who don’t want to speak. That’s true, I haven’t heard anyone speak like this,” he said. Cak Imin hopes that after he speaks, more Nahdlatul Ulama activists will also dare to speak up.