Gus Ipul Assures President Prabowo Will Not Interfere in NU's 35th Congress

Saifullah Yusuf, also known as Gus Ipul, the Secretary General of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU), has asserted that President Prabowo Subianto will not intervene or meddle in the implementation of the 35th NU Congress in Jombang, East Java, this coming August. Gus Ipul guaranteed that the palace places full trust in the nahdliyin community to conduct their deliberations independently. This statement reinforces a previous affirmation made by PBNU Chairman KH Yahya Cholil Staquf regarding the organisation’s independence in holding its highest forum. “Oh, I think that is definitely the case. The president knows Nahdlatul Ulama very well, understands Nahdlatul Ulama deeply, and the president is acquainted with all of Nahdlatul Ulama’s figures,” Gus Ipul stated at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday. According to Gus Ipul, President Prabowo greatly respects the values and independence of the organisation. He is confident that President Prabowo will allow all voters, or muktamirin, to determine the future direction of NU in accordance with the organisation’s regulations. “Of course, the president places his trust in the muktamirin to conduct deliberations and to carry out a process as exists within the tradition of Nahdlatul Ulama,” added the former Deputy Governor of East Java. He noted that the non-involvement of state power in the election process is considered important for maintaining the dignity and unique character of the pesantren culture, which forms the fundamental basis of every congress. “So I think it is correct that the president will not interfere in relation to the congress process,” Gus Ipul concluded. The PBNU is set to hold its 35th Congress at the Bahrul Ulum Tambakberas Islamic Boarding School in Jombang, East Java, from 27 to 31 August 2026. One of the crucial agendas at the congress is the election of the PBNU Chairman for the next term of service.